Electronic apparatus, charging system and method, charge processing device, storage medium, and prepaid card

ABSTRACT

An apparatus of the invention comprises an operation inputting element for designating one of a plurality of functions; a function executing element for executing the function designated by the operating inputting element; a measuring element for measuring the time during which each of the functions has been executed by the function executing element; and a chargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amount based on the execution time measured by the measuring element regarding each of the functions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a charging system and a charging methodwhereby apparatuses are not sold outright but are instead charged forthe period of time in which they have been actually used, as well as anelectronic apparatus for use with such a system and a method, a chargeprocessing device, a storage medium, and a prepaid card.

It has been customary for users to purchase products and acquire theirownership before use. The users thus generally pay the price of eachproduct itself.

The traditional way of purchase signifies that people pay the price of agiven product whether or not they actually use it. In other words, thebuyers must also pay for the period of time in which their product isnot used for the simple reason that they own it. Basically, products areworth their price only when utilized. If a product has been purchasedbut not used for some reason, that obviously means the buyer has wastedmoney on the product.

Today's so-called high-tech products such as computers become obsoletein a very short cycle. Often new products appear on the market beforetheir predecessors have been fully exploited. Users who bought earliermodels tend to feel shortchanged at seeing new and better productsprematurely superseding their possessions.

Those who wish to keep up with the latest and most sophisticatedproducts need to pay in full for each novel item that comes along. Thiscan be a considerable financial burden on the high-tech novelty hunters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstancesand provides a system and a method whereby products are charged not fortheir ownership but for the time period in which they have been actuallyused.

In carrying out the invention and according to one aspect thereof, thereis provided an apparatus including: an operation inputting element fordesignating one of a plurality of functions; a function executingelement for executing the function designated by the operating inputtingelement; a measuring element for measuring the time in which each of thefunctions is executed by the function executing element; and achargeable amount computing element for computing a chargeable amountbased on the execution time measured by the measuring element regardingeach of the functions.

The inventive electronic apparatus permits computing of the chargeableamount based on the time in which each selected function has beenexecuted. This makes it possible to establish a scheme for charging theapparatus not for its value as a whole but for the amount commensuratewith the way it has been used.

The user of the apparatus thus pays solely, according to how long theapparatus has been utilized. The same scheme applies to any new product,alleviating the user's grumbling about having to pay for ever-newerproducts appearing all the time to replace their prematurely outmodedpredecessors.

In on preferred structure according to the invention, the chargeableamount computing element may compute the chargeable amount based on theexecution time for each of the functions and through weighting on afunction-by-function basis.

The apparatus of the invention may forestall the measuring of time if itis powered but not actually used. A suitable charging process may beimplemented depending on which of different functions with differentutility values has been used. Illustratively, the playback function,rewind function, fast forward function, and recording function may eachbe charged in an appropriately weighted manner when used in practice.

In another preferred structure according to the invention, the apparatusmay further include: a storing element for storing a usable time of theapparatus; and a settling element for subtracting a time representingthe chargeable amount computed by the chargeable amount computingelement, from the usable time stored in the storing element.

With this preferred structure, the user is allowed to user to decide ona desired period of time and to store that period as a usable time inthe storing element. The storing of the usable time into the storingelement may be effected in consideration of a payment. The apparatus ofthis structure causes the usable time to be decremented by the time overwhich the apparatus has been actually used, allowing the user to employthe apparatus until the usable time is fully exhausted.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anelectronic apparatus including: an input detecting element for detectinga text input; and a controller for checking the input text detected bythe input detecting element and setting the electronic apparatus for atime charge mode depending on a result of the check.

The electronic apparatus of the above structure may be set by a textinput either for a conventional sell-off model or for a time-chargedmodel. There is no need to distinguish the two different models of thesame apparatus during fabrication.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided anelectronic apparatus including: an operation inputting element fordesignating at least an operating state and a non-operating state; aused time measuring element for measuring duration of the operatingstate as a used time; a cumulative time measuring element for measuringan accumulated used time resulting from the measuring by the used timemeasuring element; and a chargeable time computing element for computinga chargeable time by weighting the used time measured by the used timemeasuring element in accordance with a weighting factor reflecting theaccumulated used time measured by the cumulative time measuring element.

The electronic apparatus of the above structure permits a chargingpractice that takes depreciation of the apparatus into consideration.More specifically, charges are weighted in accordance with the used timerepresentative of product depreciation, i.e., the charging rate may bereduced over time. Many products used as fixed assets by corporationsare conventionally bought by payment in full. In that case, depreciationexpenses necessarily deviate chronologically from the actual spending ofmoney on the product. By contrast, the inventive electronic apparatusallows its depreciation expenses to be spread substantially in time withthe actual payment.

According to an even further aspect of the invention, there is providedan electronic apparatus including: an operation inputting element fordesignating at least an operating state and a non-operating state; aused time measuring element for measuring duration of the operatingstate as a used time; a chargeable time computing element for computinga chargeable time based on the used time measured by the used timemeasuring element; a memory for storing usable time information aboutthe electronic apparatus; a settling element for subtracting thechargeable time computed by the chargeable time computing element fromthe usable time stored in the memory; and a reading element for readingthe usable time information from the memory to notify a user thereof.

With this structure, the memory continuously retains the usable timeinformation about the apparatus in question. The usable time informationcan be retrieved by the reading element.

When the usable time information is retrieved from the electronicapparatus for conversion into a utility value, it is possible to marketthe apparatus as a secondhand product offering its remaining utilityvalue, whereby a secondhand product market is created.

As outlined above, the user is charged for and pays up the exact amountof product time used according to the invention. The scheme clarifiesthe value of a given product from the user's point of view. Because thechargeable rate is varied from function to function regarding theproduct, it is possible to build a reasonable charging system thatsatisfies the user's sense of fairness. The user, if desired, mayreplace the currently used product with a new model every time such amodel comes along.

The inventive scheme replaces the traditional concept of transferring aproduct's ownership and lifetime use to a customer for a consideration,with a new concept of charging the user for the exact amount of productusage time. With people's obsession of product ownership discarded, itbecomes easier for used products to be recovered and recycled, whereby atruly recycle-oriented society can be realized in time.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent upon a reading of the following description and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view outlining a charging system practiced as afirst embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a graphic representation explaining a key aspect of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration explaining more about the firstembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration explaining more about the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram sketching a typical structure of an electronicapparatus practiced as the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of steps constituting charge processing performedby the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating how charge processing isperformed by the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of steps outlining how a charging system practicedas a second embodiment of this invention typically works;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view outlining the charging system of thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a typical structure of anelectronic apparatus employed as the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of steps performed by the electronic apparatus ofthe second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of what is contained in a memory of theelectronic apparatus used as the second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view explaining how charges are settled by thecharging system of the second embodiment;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are flowcharts of steps constituting a data transferprocess for settlement performed by the charging system of the secondembodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of further steps constituting the data transferprocess for settlement performed by the charging system of the secondembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of steps for settlement performed by the chargingsystem of the second embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of further steps for settlement performed by thecharging system of the second embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of further steps constituting the data transferprocess for settlement performed by the charging system of the secondembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a typical structure of anelectronic apparatus practiced as a third embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view picturing how a charging system of thethird embodiment typically settles charges;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of steps constituting a data transfer process forsettlement performed by the charging system of the third embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram indicating a typical structure of anelectronic apparatus practiced as a fourth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic view picturing how a data transfer process forsettlement is typically implemented by the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 24 is another schematic view portraying how the data transferprocess for settlement is typically implemented by the fourthembodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of steps performed by the electronic apparatus ofthe fourth embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a typical structure of an electronicapparatus practiced as a fifth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of steps performed by the electronic apparatus ofthe fifth embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of further steps performed by the electronicapparatus of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of steps constituting overall processingperformed by a charging system of a seventh embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of steps carried out by an electronic apparatuspracticed as the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of steps explaining a key aspect of the seventhembodiment;

FIG. 32 is a schematic view explaining a secondhand product market;

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of steps in which an electronic apparatuspracticed as an eighth embodiment of this invention is switched betweensettings of different models;

FIG. 34 is a schematic view explaining a business model to which a ninthembodiment of this invention is applied;

FIG. 35 is a graphic representation depicting variations ofconsideration for product usage time in connection with the ninthembodiment;

FIGS. 36A and 36B are schematic views explaining a structural example ofa UT (Used Time) Money for use with the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing a typical structure of an electroniccircuit incorporated in the UT Money used by the ninth embodiment;

FIGS. 38A and 38B are schematic views explaining another structuralexample of the UT Money for use with the ninth embodiment;

FIGS. 39A, 39B and 39C are schematic views outlining steps to fabricatethe UT Money whose structure is shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B;

FIG. 40 is a block diagram of an electronic apparatus practiced as theninth embodiment;

FIG. 41 is a flowchart of steps performed by the electronic apparatus ofthe ninth embodiment;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart of steps performed by the electronic circuit inthe UT Money for use with the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a block diagram outlining a typical structure of terminalequipment used by the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 44 is a schematic view sketching a typical front operation panel ofthe terminal equipment used by the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of steps performed by the terminal equipment foruse with the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 46 is another flowchart of steps continued from the flowchart ofFIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is flowchart of further steps performed by the terminalequipment for use with the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart of steps carried out by a charge managementsystem used by the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 49 is a conceptual view explaining a virtual trading market onwhich virtual currency UT is traded in conjunction with the ninthembodiment;

FIG. 50 is a flowchart of steps performed when a user has his statusposted as a seller on the virtual trading market using the virtualcurrency UT in connection with the ninth embodiment; and

FIG. 51 is a flowchart of steps performed when a user has his statusposted as a buyer on the virtual trading market using the virtualcurrency UT in connection with the ninth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of this invention will now be described in theform of a charging system and an electronic apparatus, among others,with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

The first embodiment of this invention is implemented as an electronicapparatus to be charged and paid for an accumulated time period ofactual use. The first embodiment adopts a depreciation scheme thatrequires the user to pay the most per unit time when the product inquestion is brand-new, to pay less per unit time as the used timeaccumulates, and to stop paying when the accumulated used time hasreached a predetermined time, i.e., when the accumulated payments havereached a predetermined amount.

The electronic apparatus to be charged is any product that incorporatesa microcomputer and is connectable to a digital communication networksuch as the Internet. Such products include personal computers andInternet television sets.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view outlining a used time charging systempracticed as the first embodiment of this invention. With thisembodiment, a user 1 concludes a use contract with a vender 2 regardingan electronic apparatus 3 offered by the vender 2. When in use, theelectronic apparatus 3 is connected to a digital communication network 4such as the Internet. A charge management system 5 of the vender 2 isalso connected to the digital communication network 4.

Under the use contract different from a sales contract, the user 1 doesnot pay upon receipt of the product. Instead, the user 1 pays for thelength of time in which the electronic apparatus 3 has been used. Thefirst embodiment allows the user 1 to make payments for used time on adepreciation basis.

Under the contract, the user 1 agrees with the vender 2 on how to settleused time-based charges. Whereas there are a variety of ways to settlecharges, a typical case is explained below which involves resorting to abank or a credit card company.

The electronic apparatus 3 to be charged is designed to measure the timein which it has been actually used and to store the accumulated usedtime into a built-in memory or an external memory, as will be describedlater. In this example, as long as the electronic apparatus 3 is turnedon, it is considered to be in a chargeable operating state. The usedtime, when measured, is incremented illustratively by the minute.

When furnished with the chargeable electronic apparatus 3 from thevender 2, the user 1 transmits in a report the accumulated used timefrom the memory of the apparatus to the vender 2 over the digitalcommunication network 4. The reporting is done at predeterminedintervals (e.g., every month) or in response to a settlement date noticefrom the vender 2.

Given the accumulated used time reported, the charge management system 5of the vender 2 measures as a chargeable time the period of use betweenthe preceding settlement date and the current settlement date. By use ofthe accumulated used time received, the charge management system 5determines a time unit price, i.e., price to be paid per unit time, forthe current charge computation.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view graphically showing a relationship betweenaccumulated used time and time unit price. As indicated, the longer theaccumulated used time, the lower the time unit price. When theaccumulated used time reaches a certain time, i.e., when the paid amountreaches a certain level, the time unit price becomes zero.

The charge management system 5 of the vender 2 stores the time-pricerelationship table of FIG. 2 inside. Given the accumulated used time,the system 5 references the table to determine a time unit price to beused for the current charging. A fee to be charged to the user iscomputed by having the chargeable time due on the settlement datemultiplied by the time unit price determined above.

The user 1 pays the fee by settling the charge in a predeterminedmanner. At the vender 2, the charge management system 5 verifies thepayment of the fee. If the charge is not settled by the settlement date,the charge management system 5 transmits to the electronic apparatus 3 akey that disables functions of the apparatus. Upon receipt of thedisabling key, the electronic apparatus 3 has its functions turned offpartially or as a whole.

If the charge management system 5 has later confirmed the payment of thefee by the user 1, the system 5 sends to the electronic apparatus 3 akey that enables the functions of the apparatus. Given the enabling key,the electronic device 3 resumes its functionality to permit use by theuser 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a flow of steps from acquisitionof the electronic apparatus 3 as the first embodiment to the start ofits use by resorting to a bank or a credit card company. FIG. 4 is anexplanatory view depicting typical transactions among the user 1 uponstart of use of the electronic apparatus 3, the vender 2, and the bankor credit card company 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, the user 1 acquires the electronic apparatus 3 as achargeable product from the vender 2. At this point, a productidentifier (product ID) is written to a memory of the electronicapparatus 3. The product ID may be written to the memory either duringfabrication of the apparatus or when the apparatus is handed over to auser (i.e., at the time of sales). The charge management system 5 of thevender 2 retains the product ID in conjunction with a user identifier(user ID) as user management information (in step A of FIG. 3).

If the user has no bank account or credit card company's account, then abank account or a credit card company's account is opened (in step B).The established bank account or credit card company's account is writtenalong with a password to the memory of the electronic apparatus to becharged (in step C).

As indicated in “(1) Start of Use Reported” in FIG. 4, the user 1reports the start of use of the electronic apparatus 3 to the chargemanagement system 5 of the vender 2 (in step D). The informationreported at this point includes use start notice information, theproduct ID, the user's name, the bank account number or credit cardnumber (representing a credit card company's account), and a password.

When the electronic apparatus 3 has thus been set up and the chargemanagement system 5 notified thereof, the system 5 verifies the user andhis or her account at the bank or credit card company 6 by employing theuser's name and the bank account number or the credit card numberincluded in the reported information, as shown in “(2) Verification” inFIG. 4.

After verifying the user and his or her account, the charge managementsystem 5 transmits in token of use start approval an enabling key thatallows the electronic apparatus 3 to turn on its functions, as indicatedin “(3) Approval” in FIG. 4. The key enables the electronic apparatus 3to function for use by the user 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram sketching a typical structure of theelectronic apparatus 3 as the first embodiment. The electronic apparatus3 includes a controlling part 11 for controlling the apparatus as awhole, a hardware part 12 for executing functional operations of theapparatus, a nonvolatile memory 13, and a network part 14 for connectionwith the digital communication network 4.

The controlling part 11, although not shown, comprises firmware forcontrolling the electronic apparatus 3, charging system controllingsoftware, and function-on/off controlling software. The controlling part11 includes a counter part 15 that measures time units in which chargesare made. Also included in the controlling part 11 is a clock part 16that manages settlement dates illustratively at monthly intervals.

The function-on/off controlling software of the controlling part 11turns on and off the hardware part 12 based on a function-on/off keyacquired from the charge management system 5 through the network part14.

As mentioned above, the nonvolatile memory 13 contains not only theproduct ID, the bank account number or credit card number and thepassword, but also an accumulated time period of actual operation of theapparatus as measured by the charging system controlling software of thecontrolling part 11.

The counter part 15 in the controlling part 11 measures a time period inwhich the electronic apparatus 3 has been turned on. When the measuredtime has amounted to a unit time, a unit time elapse output signal suchas a carry signal is output.

Given the unit time elapse output signal from the counter part 15, thecharging system controlling software in the controlling part 11 readsthe accumulated used time from the nonvolatile memory 13 and incrementsthe retrieved time by “1.” The incremented used time is written back tothe nonvolatile memory 13. This allows the nonvolatile memory 13 to getits accumulated used time content continuously updated.

Given time information from the clock part 16, the charging systemcontrolling software of the controlling part 11 determines whether asettlement date has come due. When the settlement date is judged to havearrived, the charging system controlling software reads from thenonvolatile memory 13 such data as accumulated used time information,the product ID and account number and sends the retrieved data to thecharge management system 5 through the network part 14 over the digitalcommunication network 4.

In response to the transmission of the accumulated used time and otherinformation regarding the settlement date, the charge management system5 returns charges for the currently accumulated used time. Thecontrolling part 11 in the electronic apparatus 3 causes a display part17 such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) to display the charged feefor the user 1 to take notice. At this point, the settlement datereported from the charge management system 5 is also shown on the screenof the display part 17.

If the user 1 fails to pay past the settlement date, the chargemanagement system 5 sends a disabling key causing the electronicapparatus 3 to turn off its functions. Upon receipt of the key, thecontrolling part 11 disables the electronic apparatus 3 by turning offthe hardware part 12. If the user l pays up the fee for the currentlyaccumulated used time, the charge management system 5 transmits anenabling key that allows the electronic apparatus 3 to turn on itsfunctions. Given the key, the controlling part 11 enables the electronicapparatus 3 by turning on the hardware part 12.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of typical charging steps performed by the firstembodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating how payments aremade when a bank or a credit card company is involved.

As shown in FIG. 6, the controlling part 11 continuously measures theaccumulated used time of the electronic apparatus 3 as a chargeableproduct in the manner described above (step S1). The controlling part 11of the electronic apparatus 3, using the clock part 16, checks whether apredetermined period of time has elapsed since the last settlement,i.e., whether another settlement date has arrived (step S2). If thesettlement date is judged to have arrived, the controlling part 11reports at least the product ID and accumulated used time information tothe charge management system 5 of the vender 2 over the digitalcommunication network 4 (in step S3; “(1) Used Time” in FIG. 7).

Upon receipt of the product ID and user management information (userID), the charge management system 5 identifies the user 1. The system 5computes a chargeable used time by obtaining the difference between thelast-settled accumulated used time and the accumulated used timereported this time. In addition, the charge management system 5 acquiresa time unit price for use in the current charge computation by referringto the time-unit price relationship table in FIG. 2 and on the basis ofthe currently accumulated used time.

The fee corresponding to the currently accumulated used time is computed(in step S4) by the charge management system 5 using the followingformula:fee due this time=chargeable used time×time unit priceThrough the digital communication network 4, the charge managementsystem 5 notifies the electronic apparatus 3 of the computed amount ofthe fee for the currently accumulated used time (in step S5; “(2)Payment” in FIG. 7).

Upon receipt of the amount of the fee due this time, the electronicapparatus 3 displays the received information on the screen to notifythe user 1 thereof. The user 1 is thus charged for the currentlyaccumulated used time (in step S6).

On receiving the charges, the user 1 takes steps to have the appropriatepayment transferred from his bank account or credit card company'saccount to the account of the vender 2 (“(3) Money TransferInstruction,” “(4) Transfer of Payment” in FIG. 7). Alternatively, thetransfer of the payment may be carried out automatically between thebank accounts involved.

The charge management system 5 checks to see if the fee due this time ispaid up (in step S7). If no payment is judged to be made, the chargemanagement system 5 transmits over the digital communication network 4 akey for turning off the functions of the electronic apparatus 3 (instep-S8).

If the charge management system 5 later ascertains that the payment hasbeen made (in step S7), it transmits over the digital communicationnetwork 4 a key that allows the electronic apparatus to turn on itsfunctions (in step S9)

The charge management system 5 checks to see if the accumulated usedtime of the electronic apparatus 3 has reached a predetermined timelimit where the time unit price becomes zero. If the time limit has yetto be reached, the system 5 proceeds to settle the charges on the nextsettlement date. If the time limit is judged to be reached, the chargemanagement system 5 notifies (not shown) the electronic apparatus 3 thatsettlement of fees is not necessary from now on and terminates thecharging process. Given the notice, the electronic apparatus 3 displaysit on the display part 17 to draw the user's attention and will notperform charging process from that point on. The user 1 is allowedcontinuously to use the electronic apparatus 1 free of charge.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of this invention is also implemented as anelectronic apparatus to be charged and paid for an accumulated timeperiod of actual use. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of steps representingoverall processing performed by the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is anexplanatory view outlining a business model of the second embodimentconstituting a used time-based charging system. FIG. 9 illustrates howcompanies and customers are typically organized around a time chargemanagement company 21 that manages charges based on the used time ofchargeable products.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second embodiment involves the time chargemanagement company 21 having a relation A with a manufacturer-vender 22.In the relation A, the management company 21 subcontracts developmentand production of time use-chargeable products to themanufacturer-vender 22 and purchases the products from the latter.

There can be a number of types of purchase contracts between the timecharge management company 21 and the manufacturer-vender 22. Onepurchase contract may be a simple sales contract whereby the time chargemanagement company 21 has the ownership of the products purchased fromthe manufacturer-vender 22. Another type of purchase contract may be thecombination of a sales contract and a partial fee sharing contract, tobe described later, whereby payments of used time-based fees arepartially shared between the two companies. Yet another type of purchasecontract may involve only a partial fee sharing contract with nopurchase contract made (product ownership belongs to themanufacturer-vender 22), whereby payments of used time-based fees arepartially shared between the two companies.

A software company 23 has a relation C (FIG. 9) with a copyright holder24. In the relation C, the software company 23 subcontracts productionof software to the copyright holder 24 and purchases software from thelatter. Between the software company 23 and the time charge managementcompany 21 is a relation B (FIG. 9) wherein the software company 23supplies software to the management company 21. The time chargemanagement company 21 also has a relation D (FIG. 9) direct with thecopyright holder 24. In the relation D, the management company 21subcontracts production of software direct to the copyright holder 24and purchases software from the latter.

The time charge management company 21 has a relation E (FIG. 9) with anetwork-based bank 25 regarding settlements and financing. Themanagement company 21 also has a relation F (FIG. 9) with a secondhandproduct market 26 such as network auction sites where old productsreplaced by their successors are put on sale.

The time charge management company 21 has a relation G (FIG. 9) with aregistered member 27 regarding the transfer of such data as productsupply information and chargeable time data. In turn, the registeredmember 27 has a relation H (FIG. 9) with a shop 28. The shop 28 has arelation I (FIG. 9) with the time charge management company 21 regardingthe collection of fees from the registered member 27 and the delivery ofproducts to the latter.

A customer becomes a registered member 27 when having his nameregistered with the time-charge management company 21 (in step S21 ofFIG. 8). The registered member 27 may obtain (in step S22) and use (instep S23) a desired chargeable product such as an electronic apparatus.

Registration of membership may be done either over the counter of thetime charge management company 21 or at a website on the Internet inelectronic fashion. In the case of electronic registration, thechargeable product is handed over to the registered member 27illustratively by way of the shop 28, such as a convenience store, thathas a contract with the time charge management company 21. It is alsopossible to deliver the product by mail from the time charge managementcompany 21 to the registered member 27.

Upon registration, the member 27 is granted a member identifier (memberID, also serving as the user ID).

The time charge management company 21 has a customer database 21DB thatstores such membership information as members' IDs, names (ofindividuals and corporations), ages, addresses, electronic mailaddresses, contract periods, settlement methods (to be described later),and bank account numbers or credit card numbers on all members.

A memory of each electronic apparatus as a chargeable product containsindividual information such as the product identifier (product ID),member ID, member's address, and member name, as well as dateinformation. With such information written to the memory, the chargeableproduct is handed over to the registered member 27.

In the customer database 21DB of the time charge management company 21,member IDs are stored in association with the product IDs of theproducts used by the members in question. Writing of the product ID toeach chargeable product may be done either by the time charge managementcompany 21 or by the manufacturer-vender 22.

The chargeable product used by the registered member 27 may be replacedby another product during the contract period. If such replacement iscarried out, memory contents of the products involved are updated and soare the contents of the customer database 21DB regarding the product IDsin question. The contract period may be altered as well if desired.

Each registered member 27 also registers his preferred settlement methodwith the time charge management company 21. The registered settlementmethod is added by the company 21 to the record about the member 27 inquestion. There are a number of settlement methods: using the member'sbank account; using the member's credit card account; transferringpayments from a bank branch, a post office or a convenience store to thetime charge management company's account; or utilizing a proprietaryelectronic money settlement system established by the managementcompany. The preferred settlement method may be replaced by anothermethod during the contract period if desired.

When using his bank account or credit card account for settlement, theregistered member 27 notifies the time charge management company 21thereof along with a password. These items of information are placedinto the customer database 21DB in the manner described above.

The registered member 27 sends operation data to the time chargemanagement company 21 at predetermined intervals, in response to asettlement request made by the chargeable product itself, or uponreceipt of charges from the company 21 (in step S24 of FIG. 8). Theoperation data cover the period between the last settlement date and thecurrent settlement date (i.e., which constitutes the chargeable period).

The operation data, as will be described later, includes a power-on/offcount, function-wise operation information about the electronicapparatus, media-related information, TV channel information, musicinformation, video information, and defect information. Thefunction-wise operation information about the electronic apparatusincludes function key-on/off information and function-wise operationtime information.

Given the operation data sent from each registered member 27, the timecharge management company 21 computes a used time-based fee for thechargeable product of the member in question. With the fee computed, themanagement company 21 sends charges to the registered member 27 (in stepS25 of FIG. 8).

Each registered member 27 settles the charges using the registeredsettlement method (in step S26 of FIG. 8).

If a new product with enhanced functionality comes along, the registeredmember 27 is informed thereof illustratively by the website on theInternet or by facsimile. If the member 27 wishes to replace the currentproduct with the new one, the replacement registration is carried outover the counter at the time charge management company 21 or shop 28, orat the website on the Internet, and the products are switched (in stepS27 of FIG. 8).

Each old product replaced by the new one is returned and auctioned offon the secondhand product market 26 such as network auction sites.Alternatively, the used products may be freshened up and sold at fixeddiscount prices.

With the second embodiment, the electronic apparatus as the chargeableproduct is assumed to have a plurality of functions. One such apparatusmay be a recording and reproducing apparatus offering such diversefunctions as playback, recording, fast forward, rewind, pause, and stop.The used times of the functions are not merely added up to compute achargeable time; the chargeable time is computed by having the used timeof each of the functions multiplied by a weighting factor established inadvance for each function.

Illustratively, the functions related directly to usage by the user aregiven larger weighting factors; those functions not directly associatedwith actual use by the user are provided with smaller weighting factors.A function that cost much when developed may be given a larger weightingfactor than less costly functions.

For example, a playback key (i.e., playback function) of video and/oraudio equipment may be considered the reference function having aweighting factor of 1. With respect to that reference function, a stopkey (stop function) and a rewind key (rewind function) may be given aweighting factor of 0 each in advance; a fast forward key (fast forwardfunction) may have a weighting factor of 0.5; a recording key (recordingfunction) may be given a weighting factor of 1.2; and an effect key(effect function) may have a weighting factor of 2.

With the second embodiment, different electronic apparatuses may begiven in advance different weighting factors used to compute achargeable time based on used time. Illustratively, if audio apparatusesare given a weighting factor of 1, then video apparatuses may have aweighting factor of 1.5 to provide for the playback of both video andaudio information. Text-oriented apparatuses may be given a weightingfactor of 0.8 for their simplified function.

Varied weighting factors may also be adopted depending on the types ofmedia in use such as CD (compact disc), MD (MiniDisc), DVD (digitalvideo disc), television, and radio.

Described below in detail is how the second embodiment is implementedthrough the combination of two weighting schemes: weighting byelectronic device type, and weighting on a function-by-function basis.The function-wise weighting is effected in accordance with a load factorP of the CPU in a microcomputer part 31. The load factor P of the CPU isdetermined by the rate of time in which the CPU operates continuously(including sleep time) for each of the functions involved.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an electronic apparatus 30 employed as aused time charging system constituted by the second embodiment. As shownin FIG. 10, the electronic apparatus 30 of the second embodimentcomprises the microcomputer part 31 that makes up a controlling part foroverall control of the apparatus 30; a function executing part 32 madeup of a storage medium drive, a digital signal processor and an analogsignal processor; a key operation part 33 constituted by a plurality offunction keys; a display part 34 illustratively composed of a liquidcrystal display; a charge processing part 35; and an interface part 36for interfacing with a personal computer.

The charge processing part 35 is constituted by a controlling part 351made of a microcomputer, by a clock part for measuring time, and by anonvolatile memory 353. The charge processing part 35 may be implementedas a one-chip IC which is either connected with an externally furnishednonvolatile memory 353 or incorporates such a nonvolatile memory 353.

The microcomputer part 31 determines which function key has beenoperated given an input operation by the user on the key operation part33. With the operated function key recognized, the microcomputer part 31controls the function executing part 32 accordingly. In addition,information about the operated function key is transferred to thecontrolling part 351 in the charge processing part 35.

Given the function key information from the microcomputer part 31, thecontrolling part 351 in the charge processing part 35 ascertains that aspecific function corresponding to the function key in question is beingselectively executed. By referring to time information from the clockpart 352, the controlling part 351 measures an execution time of thefunction in question, i.e., the time in which the function is beingused. On the basis of the used time thus measured, the controlling part351 computes a chargeable time in the manner described earlier. Thecomputed chargeable time is stored into the memory 353.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of steps in which the electronic apparatus 30computes the chargeable time for each function and stores the computedtime.

When the electronic apparatus 30 is turned on (in step S31),initialization is carried out (in step S32). A check is then made to seeif any function key is operated (in step S33). If a function key isjudged operated, the key in question is recognized (in step S34). Thesesteps are carried out by the microcomputer part 31.

Information about the recognized function key is sent from themicrocomputer part 31 to the controlling part 351 in the chargeprocessing part 35. The controlling part 351 recognizes the operatedfunction key, and writes to the memory 353 key type informationidentifying the recognized function key (in step S35).

Using information from the clock part 352, the controlling part 351measures an execution time of the activated function, i.e., a used timeT1 of the function in question (in step S36). The used time T1 includesa sleep time in which the CPU of the microcomputer part 31 has been in asleep state. Then a processing time T2 in which the CPU of themicrocomputer part 31 has been continuously operating, i.e., a CPUoperation period excluding the sleep time is measured, and the loadfactor P of the CPU in the microcomputer part 31 is computed (in stepS37).

The load factor P is computed by use of the following expression:P=(T2/T1)×Kwhere, K denotes a coefficient of variation determined by the type ofequipment such as video equipment, audio equipment, television set, orstorage medium in use. Because it varies with the equipment type, thecoefficient may be called an equipment type-wise coefficient.

Step S36 to measure the used time T1 and step S37 to measure both theprocessing time T2 and the CPU load factor P are repeated, untilexecution of the function in question comes to an end (in step S38). Inthis example, the CPU load factor P is computed repeatedly duringfunction execution. Alternatively, the CPU load factor P may becalculated at the end of the function execution.

When execution of the function is judged to have ended, the controllingpart 351 in the charge processing part 35 computes a chargeable time “t”(in step S39) using the following expression:chargeable time t=used time T1×CPU load factor PInformation about the chargeable time “t” resulting from the computationis written to the memory 353 (in step S40). Since the chargeable time“t” is given as T2×K, it is possible alternatively to measure only theprocessing time T2 and skip used time (T1) measurement.

A check is made to see if power is turned off (in step S41). If power isnot turned off, step S33 is reached again and activation of anotherfunction key is awaited. If power is judged to be removed, thisprocessing routine is terminated.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of what is contained in the memory 353 ofthe charge processing part 35. Specifically, the memory 353 has itsretained data classified into system management information, userinformation, settlement information, and operation information. Thepieces of such information are held at appropriate memory addresses.

The system management information includes product IDs, used timerestriction information about products whose used times among others arelimited under contract, and authentication information. The userinformation includes such individual information as member IDs, usernames, ages, bank accounts and credit card numbers. The settlementinformation comprises the number of settlements, venue for settlement,and date information.

The operation information includes such diverse types of information aspower-on/off count information; function-wise operation informationdesignating chargeable times on a function-by-function basis; storagemedium information on CDs, MDs and DVDs employed; TV channel informationindicating which channel has been watched for how long; musicinformation detailing, among others, which pieces of music by whom havebeen played back; film information about the titles of films watched;defect information; and download time information for an electronicapparatus having a downloading function.

The operation information is sent to the time charge management company21. The company 21 computes fees based on the received information inaccordance with the terms of contract with the registered member, andsends the charges to the latter.

As shown in FIG. 13, the electronic apparatus 30 of the secondembodiment is connected to a personal computer 40 through the interface36. On receiving a data transfer request from the personal computer 40,the electronic apparatus 30 reads the product ID, member ID andoperation information from the memory 353 and transfers the retrieveddata to a storage part such as a hard disc drive of the computer 40.

The personal computer 40 is connected to a charge management system 210of the time charge management company 21 via a digital communicationnetwork such as the Internet 41. When a settlement date draws near, thecharge management system 210 notifies the personal computer 40 thereofillustratively by electronic mail and prompts the latter to transferoperation information and other relevant information about theelectronic apparatus. If the user has no means to handle electronicmail, then mail by the postal service is used to notify the user of theapproaching settlement date.

Given the notice, the user connects the electronic apparatus 30 to thepersonal computer 40 to carry out data transfer. FIGS. 14A and 14B areflowcharts of steps for effecting data transfer processing. FIG. 14Ashows steps performed by the electronic apparatus 30, and FIG. 14Bindicates steps carried out by the personal computer 40.

When power is turned on (in step S51), the electronic apparatus 30 isinitialized (in step S52). A check is made to see if the electronicapparatus 30 is connected to the personal computer 40 (in step S53). Ifthe apparatus 30 is judged to be connected, then arrival of a datatransfer request from the personal computer 40 is awaited (in step S54).

Upon receipt of the data transfer request from the personal computer 40,the electronic apparatus 30 transfers its operation information, productID, member ID and other relevant data from the memory 353 to thecomputer (in step S55). At the end of the data transfer (in step S56),the data transferred during the preceding settlement are erased from thememory (in step S57). The processing routine is then terminated.

The data transferred this time are left intact while the previous dataare erased from the memory for the following reasons: for one thing, thelimited memory capacity needs to be taken into account; for another, thecurrent data must be retained for fear that the data transfer might failon a transmission channel and need to be effected again upon request bythe charge management system. The previous data are judged no longernecessary since no request for data retransmission has come from thecharge management system up to the current data transfer.

If a sufficiently large memory capacity is available, the largestpossible amount of transfer data may alternatively be retained. In thatcase, the data two transfers ago or more ancient data need only beerased.

Meanwhile, upon power-up (in step S61), the personal computer 40 isinitialized (in step S62). A settlement application program is startedon the user's instructions (in step S63). In turn, a message is outputprompting the user to operate on a transfer request key icon (in stepS64). When the user operates on the transfer request key in response tothe message (in step S65), the personal computer 40 transmits a datatransfer request to the electronic apparatus 30 (in step S66).

In reply to the data transfer request, the electronic apparatus 30transfers data such as operation information. The transferred data arestored on a hard disc (in step S67). When confirming the end of datareception from the electronic apparatus 30 (in step S68), the personalcomputer 40 displays a data reception complete message (in step S69),and terminates this processing routine.

As shown in FIG. 15, upon receipt of a transfer request by remote accessfrom the charge management system 210 of the time charge managementcompany 21 (in step S71), the personal computer 40 automatically entersa transfer mode and connects to the system 210 (in step S72). Thecomputer 40 transfers the data such as operation information from itshard disc to the charge management system 210 (in step S73). Whenverifying the end of the data transfer (in step S74), the personalcomputer 40 leaves its automatic data transfer mode.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of steps performed during the above processing bythe charge management system 210 of the time charge management company21.

Before the settlement date draws near, the charge management system 210is in a standby state for connection with the electronic apparatus(steps S81 and S82). Upon detecting the approach of the settlement date(in step S82), the charge management system 210 notifies the userthereof illustratively by electronic mail as described (in step S83).

When the settlement date is reached (in step S84), the charge managementsystem 210 connects to the personal computer 40 by remote access (instep S85) to prepare for data reception (in step S86). While thepreparations are underway, the system 210 retrieves data about thecustomer in question.

Then the data coming from the personal computer 40 as described aboveare all received (in steps S87 and S88). With the data receptioncompleted, the charge management system 210 computes fees for thecurrent used time by multiplying the chargeable time, included in thefunction-wise operation information, by the time unit price (in stepS89).

When the charge computation has ended, the system 210 issues (in stepS90) a bill to the user (i.e., registered member). The bill may be senteither by electronic mail or by mail of the postal service. Given thebill, the user effects the payment illustratively from a conveniencestore or like establishments (shown in FIG. 13) or by automatic moneytransfer from his bank account or credit card company's account asmentioned earlier.

When the payment by the user is confirmed (in step S91), the system 210gives permission to let the electronic apparatus be used continuouslyand issues a receipt (in step S92). If no payment by the user isconfirmed, a check is made to see if the time limit for settlement isexceeded (step S93). If the time limit is judged exceeded, then thesystem 210 cancels the contract and asks for the return of theelectronic apparatus by illustratively transmitting a return requestsignal to the personal computer 40 (in step S94).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of typical steps in which the charge managementsystem 210 performs the charge computation of step S89 in FIG. 16. Thisis an example where certain terms of contract between themanufacturer-vender and the time charge management company are takeninto account in the charge computation. A database 211 of the chargemanagement system 210 at the time charge management company 21 containsproduct information in addition to customer information and operationinformation. The product information associates the chargeable productswith their manufacture-venders by use of product IDs. The database 211also includes information about specific terms of contract on eachproduct with its manufacturer-vender. Illustratively, each product maybe subject to a sales contract or to a sales and used time-based feesharing contract (or may come under the fee sharing contract alone).

The received data are analyzed (in step S101). Using the product ID fromthe analysis, the manufacturer-vender of the electronic apparatus isidentified and the contract terms are verified (in step S102). The feeis computed in the manner described above by use of chargeable timeinformation retrieved from the received data (in step S103).

With the contract terms obtained in step S102, a check is made to see ifthe contract on the product in question involves a clause for sharingfees between the time charge management company and themanufacturer-vender (in step S104). If the fee sharing clause is foundinvolved, a share of the chargeable amount (obtained in step S103)payable to the time charge management company is computed and storedinto a share memory part of the management company (in step S105). Ashare of the fee payable to the manufacturer-vender is then computed andstored into its own share memory part (in step S106).

If in step S104 the contract is judged to include no clause for the usedtime-based sharing of fees on the product, the all chargeable amountacquired is allocated as the time charge management company's share andstored as such into the company's share memory part (in step S107).

With the second embodiment, the electronic apparatus 30 which suppliesthe charge management system with data not directly but via a personalcomputer is charged suitably on a used time basis. That is, when thesettlement date arrives at predetermined intervals (e.g., monthly), acalendar function of the clock part 352 in the charge processing part 35is used by the electronic apparatus 30 to notify the user of theapproaching settlement date and to prompt him to transfer data forsettlement processing.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of steps constituting a routine for processingsettlement dates and data transfers performed by the electronicapparatus 30. The processing routine is carried out by periodicinterruption.

When the processing routine is started by interruption, the chargeprocessing part 35 checks to see if a settlement date is reached ordrawing near (in step S111). If the settlement date is judged neitherreached nor approaching, the processing routine is terminated. If thesettlement date is judged reached or drawing near, the charge processingpart 35 requests the microcomputer part 31 to issue a message indicativeof the approaching settlement date. The microcomputer part 31 in turncauses the display part 34 to display the message alerting the user tothe approaching settlement date (in step S112). The user is prompted totransfer data for settlement processing.

The controlling part 351 checks to see if the user has connected theelectronic apparatus 30 to the personal computer 40 in response to thedisplayed message (in step S113). If no connection is judged to be made,the controlling part 351 checks to see if the time limit for settlementis exceeded (in step S115). If the time limit is not judged exceeded,the processing routine is terminated.

If the time limit for settlement is judged exceeded, the chargeprocessing part 35 requests the microcomputer part 31 to disable theelectronic apparatus 30 partially or totally. In turn, the electronicapparatus 30 has its functions totally deactivated or partiallyrestricted (in step S116).

If in step S113 the electronic apparatus 30 is judged connected to thepersonal computer 40, the microcomputer part 31 checks to see if thedata transfer key is operated on (in step S114). If the data transferkey is not judged activated, the controlling part 351 checks to see ifthe time limit for settlement is exceeded (in step S115). If the timelimit is not judged exceeded, the processing routine is terminated.

If the controlling part 351 judges the time limit for settlement to havebeen exceeded, the charge processing part 35 requests the microcomputerpart 31 to disable the electronic apparatus 30 partially or totally. Inturn, the electronic apparatus 30 has its functions totally deactivatedor partially restricted (in step S116).

If in step S114 the transfer key is judged operated on, the informationin the memory 353 such as the operation information, product ID andmember ID is transferred (in step S117). At the end of the data transfer(in step S118), the previously transferred data are erased from thememory (in step S119), and the processing routine is terminated.

With the second embodiment, the charge management system collectsoperation information from electronic apparatuses and analyzes thecollected information to determine how the users have used theirapparatuses. For example, the management system is able to know themost-used and the least-used functions of each apparatus. The findingsare fed back to the development of future products from which certainfunctions may illustratively be omitted for their relative inactionconfirmed by the feedbacks.

According to the invention, pieces of music and videos are charged andpaid for the length of time they have been listened to or watched. Itfollows that even if the contents of a storage medium played back by theelectronic apparatus are a copy and not the original, the fees androyalties involved are still collected. A major advantage of this schemeis that it ensures the payment of royalties to copyright holders.

Although the second embodiment has been shown setting function-wiseweighting factors for the chargeable time computation based on the CPUload factor, this is not limitative of the invention. Alternatively, thememory 353 in the charge processing part 35 may be provided with apredetermined function-to-weighting factor correspondence table. Fromthe table in the memory 353, a weighting factor corresponding to anygiven function may be retrieved and used in the actual computation ofchargeable times.

As another alternative, an equipment type-wise coefficient may be set inadvance to the memory 353 in conjunction with the electronic apparatusof interest incorporating the charge processing part 35. The coefficientmay be used in computing the chargeable time of the apparatus.

With the second embodiment, the charge processing part 35 in theelectronic apparatus 30 has been shown computing chargeable times.Alternatively, the chargeable time computation may be performed on theside of the charge management system if the used time T1 and suchoperation information as function key-on/off information are transferredto the system. The computation is then made by the charge managementsystem in the same manner as by the charge processing part 35.

The transfer of data for settlement has been shown effected by remoteaccess to the personal computer 40. Alternatively, the data transfer maybe performed manually by the user through the personal computer 40 tothe charge management system 210.

The transfer of data from the electronic apparatus 30 to the personalcomputer 40 has been shown triggered by the apparatus 30 in response toa data transfer request from the computer 40. Alternatively, a datatransfer key of the electronic apparatus 30 may be activated to send adata transfer request from the apparatus 30 to the personal computer 40so that the operation information and other relevant information aboutthe apparatus may be transferred to the computer.

Third Embodiment

The third embodiment of this invention is identical in overall structureto the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

Whereas the second embodiment was described as utilizing a personalcomputer to transfer data for settlement, the third embodiment isconnected by wireless communication means to the charge managementsystem of the time charge management company. In this structure, thethird embodiment transfers operation-related data directly to the chargemanagement system.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a typical structure of anelectronic apparatus 30 practiced as the third embodiment. In the thirdembodiment, the interface part 36 of the second embodiment is replacedby a wireless communication part 37 and a transmitting-receiving antenna38. The remaining component parts are the same as those of theelectronic apparatus 30 as the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view picturing how the third embodiment istypically constituted so as to transfer operation data. In the case ofthe third embodiment, the charge management system 210 of the timecharge management company 21 also has a wireless communication part 212that exchanges diverse kinds of data with the electronic apparatus 30over a wireless communication channel through an antenna 213.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of steps constituting a data transfer process forsettlement performed by the electronic apparatus 30 as the thirdembodiment.

When power is turned on (in step S121), the electronic apparatus 30 isinitialized (in step S122). When a settlement date is reached, thecharge management system 210 transits a settlement date notice over thewireless communication channel to the electronic apparatus 30. Thecharge processing part 35 of the electronic apparatus 30 checks to seeif the settlement date notice has arrived (in step S123). Until thenotice arrives, the charge processing part 35 carries out ordinaryprocessing such as used time computations (in step S124).

Upon detecting the arrival of a settlement date notice, the chargeprocessing part 35 requests the microcomputer part 31 to issue a messageindicating the arrival of the notice. In turn, the microcomputer part 31causes the display part 34 to display the message (in step S125)prompting the user to transfer necessary data for settlement processing.

The charge processing part 35 checks information from the microcomputerpart 31 to see whether any function key has been activated (in stepS126).

With any function key yet to be activated, a check is made to see if thetime limit for settlement is exceeded (in step S127). Upon receipt ofthe settlement date notice, the charge processing part 35 starts a timerto count time up to the time limit for settlement.

If the transfer key is not judged activated past the time limit forsettlement, the charge processing part 35 requests the microcomputerpart 31 to disable the electronic apparatus 30 partially or totally.This puts the electronic apparatus in an operation-stopped oroperation-restricted state (in step S128).

If the transfer key is judged activated in step S126, the chargeprocessing part 35 connects the electronic apparatus 30 to the chargemanagement system 210 of the time charge management company 21 over thewireless communication channel (in step S129). The operationinformation, product ID and member ID are then transferred from thememory 353 to the charge management system 210 (in step S130). At theend of the data transfer (in step S131), the previously transferred dataare erased from the memory (in step S132). After the data erasure, theprocessing routine is terminated.

With the third embodiment, the electronic apparatus 30 has been showncommunicating with the charge management system over the wirelesscommunication channel. Alternatively, the wireless communication channelmay be replaced by a public switched network such as a telephone line(ADSL, ISDN, a cellular telephone network, a PHS (Personal HandyphoneSystem) network, the Internet), a leased line, or a CATV communicationnetwork for direct communication between the electronic apparatus andthe time charge management company. Such an alternative setup permitsexactly the same type of processing as that which was described above.

Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment of this invention is identical in overallstructure to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

Whereas the second and the third embodiment were shown incorporating thecharge processing part 35, the fourth embodiment replaces that part 35with a detachable charge processor 50.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram indicating a typical structure of anelectronic apparatus 30 practiced as the fourth embodiment equipped withthe charge processor 50. Although not shown in FIG. 22, the electronicapparatus 30 has a slot that the charge processor 50 is attached to anddetached from. Inserting the charge processor 50 into the slot (i.e.,connector) connects the processor 50 to the microcomputer part 31 asdepicted in FIG. 22.

The charge processor 50 has the same structure as the charge processingpart 35. The processor 50 comprises a controlling part 51, a clock part52, and a nonvolatile memory 53.

When data are to be transferred for settlement via the personal computer40 as with the second embodiment, the charge processor 50 is attached toa transfer adapter 61 having an interface part 610 for connection to thepersonal computer 40 as depicted in FIG. 23.

The transfer adapter 61, as with the electronic apparatus 30, comprisesa slot (not shown) that the charge processor 50 is attached to anddetached from. Inserting the charge processor 50 into the slot connectsthe controlling part 51 of the processor 50 to the interface part 610.The interface part 610 is the same in structure as the interface part 36of the electronic apparatus 30 practiced as the second embodiment inFIG. 10. In this setup, the personal computer 40 sends a data transferrequest to the charge processor 50 through the transfer adapter 61. Theprocessor 50 in turn transfers data to the computer 40.

If a transfer adapter 62 connectable to a telephone line as shown inFIG. 24 is used, the charge processor 50 may be connected to the chargemanagement system 210 not via the personal computer 40 but directly asin the case of the third embodiment. The charge processor 50 is thenable to transfer data to the system 210.

The transfer adapter 62 of FIG. 24, as with the transfer adapter 61, hasa slot (not shown) that the charge processor 50 is attached to anddetached from. Inserting the charge processor 50 into the slot connectsthe controlling part 51 of the processor to the communication interfacepart 620 hooked up to suitable communication means.

In FIG. 24, the communication interface part 620 may be replaced by awireless communication part. The alternative setup, as with the thirdembodiment, connects the electronic apparatus 30 to the chargemanagement system 210 not via the personal computer 40 but over a publicswitched network such as a telephone line (ADSL, ISDN, a cellulartelephone network, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) network, theInternet), a leased line, or a CATV communication network. This providesdirect data transfer from the charge processor 50 to the chargemanagement system 210.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of steps carried out illustratively by the chargeprocessor 50 with the transfer adapter 61 of FIG. 23 hooked up for use.

The controlling part 51 of the charge processor 50 first checks to seeif the processor 50 is connected to the body of the electronic apparatus30 (in step S141). If the charge processor 50 is judged connected to theelectronic apparatus 30, then reception of data from the microcomputerpart 31 is awaited (in step S142).

If the controlling part 51 has detected receipt of data from themicrocomputer part 31, the controlling part 51 checks to see if thereceived data represent activation of any function key (in step S143).If the data turn out to be of a different nature, an appropriate processcorresponding to the data is carried out. If the data are judged torepresent operation of a function key, the controlling part 51recognizes the activated function key and stores key type informationindicative of the recognized function key into the memory 53 (in stepS144).

Using information from the clock part 52, the controlling part 51measures an execution time in which the function in question has beenactive, i.e., a used time T1 of the enabled function (in step S145). Thecontrolling part 51 then measures a CPU processing time in which the CPUof the microcomputer part 31 has been continuously operating, i.e., aprocessing time T2 excluding the sleep time, as well as a CPU loadfactor P of the microcomputer part 31 (in step S146). In this example,the CPU load factor P is computed repeatedly during function execution.Alternatively, the CPU load factor P may be calculated at the end of thefunction execution.

As mentioned earlier, the load factor P is computed by use of thefollowing expression:i P=(T2/T1)×Kwhere, K denotes a coefficient of variation determined by the type ofequipment such as video equipment, audio equipment, television set, orstorage medium in use.

Step S145 to measure the used time T1 and step S146 to measure both theprocessing time T2 and the CPU load factor P are repeated, untilexecution of the function in question comes to an end (in step S147).

When execution of the function is judged to have ended, the controllingpart 51 of the charge processor 50 computes a chargeable time “t” (instep S148) using the following expression:chargeable time t=time T1×CPU load factor PSince the chargeable time “t” is given as T2×K, it is possiblealternatively to measure only the processing time T2 and skip used time(T1) measurement.

Information about the chargeable time “t” resulting from the computationis written to the memory 53 as part of the charging information made upof dates, chargeable time “t” and operation information (in step S149).Step S149 is followed by step S141.

If in step S141 the controlling part 51 does not judge that the chargeprocessor 50 is connected to the body of the electronic apparatus 30,then connection of the charge processor 50 to the transfer adapter 61 isrecognized (in step S150). The controlling part 51 checks to see if adata transfer request has arrived from the personal computer 40 (in stepS151). If no data transfer request is judged to have arrived, step S141is reached again.

If the data transfer request is judged to have arrived, the controllingpart 51 reads charging information from the memory 53 and transfers theinformation through the transfer adapter 61 to the personal computer 40(in step S152). On verifying completion of the data transfer (in stepS153), the controlling part 51 erases the previously transferredcharging information from the memory 53 (in step S154). Then step S141is reached again.

Fifth Embodiment

Whereas the embodiments discussed above were shown collecting fees orroyalties after the used time of the chargeable product was established,the fifth embodiment of this invention adopts what may be called aprepaid scheme. Specifically, the fifth embodiment involves the use ofprepaid cards.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a typical structure of an electronicapparatus 30 practiced as the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment,the interface part 36 of the second embodiment in FIG. 10 or thewireless communication part 37 of the third embodiment in FIG. 19 isreplaced by a card reader 39 that reads stored information from aprepaid card 70.

The charge processing part 35 comprising a controlling part 351, a clockpart 352 and a nonvolatile memory 353 is the same in hardwareconstitution as the second and the third embodiments. As with the secondor the third embodiment, the memory 353 may be attached externally tothe charge processing part 35.

The controlling part 351 is different in software structure from thesecond and the third embodiments. More specifically, whereas programsfor measuring used times and chargeable times are the same, the fifthembodiment includes software causing the electronic apparatus 30 tosettle payments based on charging information in the memory 353 and onstored information from the prepaid card 70.

The prepaid card 70 has usable time information written on it inadvance. The stored usable time is decremented by the charge processingpart 35 of the electronic apparatus 30 in keeping with the time periodin which the user has operated the apparatus 30. In other words, theprepaid card 70 always retains information about the remaining usabletime.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are flowcharts of steps performed illustratively by theelectronic apparatus 30 as the fifth embodiment.

When the electronic apparatus 30 is turned on (in step S161),initialization is carried out (in step S162). The controlling part 351checks to see if a prepaid card 70 is inserted (in step S163). If noprepaid card is judged inserted, the controlling part 351 causes themicrocomputer part 31 to display on a display part 34 a messageprompting the user to attach the prepaid card 70 (in step S164).

When the controlling part 351 judges that the prepaid card 70 isinserted, the controlling part 351 reads the remaining usable timeinformation from the card (in step S165). A check is made to see if theremaining usable time is zero (in step S166). If the remaining time isjudged zero, the apparatus 30 causes the microcomputer part 31 todisplay on the display part 34 a message saying that the prepaid cardhas no remaining usable time and needs to be replaced (in step S167).

A check is made to see if the prepaid card 70 is replaced (in stepS168). If the prepaid card 70 is not replaced, a check is made to see ifthe apparatus 30 is turned off (in step S170). If power is judgedremoved, the processing is brought to an end. If power is judged stillapplied, then step S167 is reached again and the message urgingreplacement of the prepaid card 70 is displayed on the display part 34.

If in step S168 the controlling part 351 judges that the prepaid card 70is replaced, the controlling part 351 reads the remaining usable timeinformation from the newly inserted card (in step S165). A check is madeto see if the remaining time is zero (step S166). If the remaining timeis not judged zero, the remaining time is displayed on the display part34 by means of the microcomputer part 31 (in step S169).

The controlling part 351 awaits reception of information about functionkey activation from the microcomputer part 31 (in step S171). Uponreceipt of the information about any function key being activated, thecontrolling part 351 recognizes the operated function key and stores keytype information into the memory 353 (in step S172).

Using information from the clock part 352, the controlling part 351measures an execution time in which the function in question has beenactive, i.e., a used time T1 of the enabled function (in step S173). Thecontrolling part 351 then measures a CPU processing time in which theCPU of the microcomputer part 31 has been continuously operating, i.e.,a processing time T2 excluding the sleep time, as well as a CPU loadfactor P of the microcomputer part 31 (in step S174). In this example,the CPU load factor P is computed repeatedly during function execution.Alternatively, the CPU load factor P may be calculated at the end of thefunction execution.

As mentioned earlier, the load factor P is computed by use of thefollowing expression:P=(T2/T1)×Kwhere, K denotes a coefficient of variation determined by the type ofequipment such as video equipment, audio equipment, television set, orstorage medium in use.

Step S173 to measure the used time T1 and step S174 to measure both theprocessing time T2 and the CPU load factor P are repeated, untilexecution of the function in question comes to an end (in step S175).

When execution of the function is judged to have ended, the controllingpart 351 of the charge processing part 35 computes a chargeable time “t”(in step S176) using the following expression:chargeable time t=used time T1×CPU load factor PSince the chargeable time “t” is given as T2×K, it is possiblealternatively to measure only the processing time T2 and skip used time(T1) measurement.

Using the chargeable time “t” information thus computed, the controllingpart 351 computes the remaining usable time (in step S177). With theremaining time computed, the remaining time information on the prepaidcard 70 is updated accordingly (in step S178). Other information such asdates and operation information is also written to the prepaid card 70(in step S179). These items of information are later retrieved from thecard 70 by the time charge management company 21 as material for marketresearch and other purposes.

The microcomputer part 31 then checks to see if power is removed (instep S180). If power is not judged removed, step S171 is reached againand the activation of another function key is awaited. If power isjudged turned off, the processing routine is terminated.

The prepaid card 70 may be sold not only through the manufacturer-venderand time charge management company 21 but also over the counter ofconvenience stores and other establishments. It may be a good idea todevise a scheme whereby users who turned in their exhausted prepaidcards are rewarded with bonus data and/or a courtesy usable time card sothat valuable material such as operation information may be culled fromthe returned cards.

Sixth Embodiment

Whereas the fifth embodiment above was shown settling payments afterthey came due by use of prepaid cards in conjunction with the electronicapparatus, the sixth embodiment of this invention utilizes an IC bankcard in place of the prepaid card. The electronic apparatus of the sixthembodiment is the same in hardware constitution as that of the fifthembodiment and thus will not be discussed further.

The sixth embodiment causes payments to be settled after they have comedue, not before. Illustratively, following step S40 in the flowchart ofFIG. 11 for the second embodiment, the charge processing part 35computes fees corresponding to the chargeable time. The fees aretransferred from the user's bank account by use of his IC bank card.Operation information and other related items of information are alsowritten to the bank card.

With the sixth embodiment, the operation information and other relevantitems written to the IC bank card are transferred from the bank to thetime charge management company 21. Of the items of information stored inthe memory 353 of the electronic apparatus 30, the operation informationmay be transferred from the electronic apparatus 30 to the time chargemanagement company 21.

Seventh Embodiment

Whereas the fifth embodiment above was shown settling payments afterthey came due by use of prepaid cards, the seventh embodiment of thisinvention uses the memory 353 of the charge processing part 35 to set upa prepaid scheme in conjunction with the electronic apparatus 30.

The charge processing part of the seventh embodiment may be implementedin one of two types: a built-in type such as the charge processing part35 inside the electronic apparatus 30 of the second embodiment, or adetachable type such as the charge processor 50 for the fourthembodiment.

The electronic apparatus of the seventh embodiment, as with the secondembodiment, is connectable to the charge management system 210 of thetime charge management company 21 via the personal computer 40 and overa digital or analog communication network.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of steps constituting overall processingperformed by the seventh embodiment.

A customer registers with the time charge management company 21 tobecome a registered member (in step S191). Registration of membershipmay be done either over the counter of the time charge managementcompany or at a website on the Internet. The registered member maydeclare in advance such conditions of use as a usable time (in stepS192), acquire a desired chargeable product such as the electronicapparatus in this example (in step S193), and use the product during theusable time declared (in step S194).

If the registered member wishes to continue using the product past thedeclared usable time (in step S195), the member makes anotherregistration of use conditions at the website using the personalcomputer 40 (in step S196), obtains registration data (in step S197),and installs usable time data into the memory 353 of the electronicapparatus 30 (in step S198). This enables the electronic apparatus 30for use over an extended period.

If any extended use of the product is not desired (in step S195), thenthe registered member returns the electronic apparatus to the timecharge management company 21.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of steps carried out by the electronic apparatus30 of the seventh embodiment.

When the electronic apparatus 30 is turned on (in step S201),initialization is carried out (in step S202). The controlling part 351reads the remaining usable time information from the memory 353 of thecharge processing part 35 (in step S203). A check is made to see if theremaining time is zero (in step S204). If the remaining time is judgedzero, a message prompting the user to install usable time information(i.e., prepaid information representative of use conditions) isdisplayed on the display part 34 by means of the microcomputer part 31(in step S206).

Given the message, the user connects the electronic apparatus 30 to thepersonal computer 40 to prepare for prepaid information installation.

The controlling part 351 of the electronic apparatus 30 checks to see ifthe apparatus 30 is connected to the personal computer 40 (in stepS207). Using the personal computer 40, the user acquires prepaidinformation about a usable time from the time charge management company21, in a manner to be described later. The prepaid information thusobtained is transferred to the electronic apparatus 30.

The controlling part 351 of the electronic apparatus 30 checks to see ifthe prepaid information has come from the personal computer 40 (in stepS208). If the receipt of the prepaid information is confirmed, theinformation is installed into the memory 353 of the charge processingpart 35 (in step S209). This rewrites the remaining usable time in thememory 353 (in step S210).

Step S210 is followed by step S203 in which the controlling part 351reads the remaining usable time from the memory 353. A check is againmade to see if the remaining time is zero (in step S204). The remainingtime, if any, is displayed on the display part 34 by means of themicrocomputer part 31 (in step S205).

Step S205 is followed by step S171 and subsequent steps in FIG. 28,i.e., the same steps carried out in conjunction with the prepaid card.Still, there is a difference: it is not the prepaid card but the memory353 of the charge processing part 35 in which the usable remaining timeis updated in step S178 and to which the operation information and otherrelevant data are written in step S179.

How prepaid information is installed by use of the personal computer 40will now be described by referring to a flowchart of FIG. 31. Theprocessing of FIG. 31 corresponds to the registration of use conditionsat the website in step S196 of FIG. 29.

The personal computer 40 first checks to see if the electronic apparatus30 is connected to it (in step S221). With the electronic apparatus 30judged connected, an application program for prepaid informationinstallation is started by the user's operation (in step S222).

The personal computer 40 reads information necessary for membershipauthentication such as the member ID and product ID from the memory 353of the charge processing part 35 in the electronic apparatus 30 (in stepS223). After a connection is established with the charge managementsystem 210 of the time charge management company 21 through a datacommunication network such as the Internet, a prepaid informationinstallation request is output to the charge management system 210 (instep S224) together with the information needed for membershipauthentication read in step S223.

Upon receipt of the installation request, the charge management system210 performs membership authentication and notifies the personalcomputer 40 of the result of the authentication. Given the notice, thepersonal computer 40 checks to see if the user's membership isauthenticated (in step S225). If the user's membership is notauthenticated, the personal computer 40 severs the hookup to the chargemanagement system 210 (step S226). The processing routine is thenbrought to an end.

If the user's membership is found authenticated, then the input ofusable time information requested by the user is accepted (in stepS227). The accepted usable time information is sent to the chargemanagement system 210 (in step S228).

With the seventh embodiment, the charge management system 210 convertsthe accepted usable time information into a virtual currency UT (UsedTime) and regards the currency as prepaid information. The chargemanagement system 210 settles payments corresponding to the prepaidinformation by resorting to a settlement method registered by the useridentified by his member ID.

UT is a virtual currency unit established in consideration of a unitused time in which the product has been used. For example, if one UT isworth 0.1 minute and the unit time fee is ¥0.01 per second, then theexchange rate between the virtual currency UT and the Japanese currencyis 0.06 yen to the UT.

Cash paid in advance and converted to the virtual currency UT isrepresented by prepaid information. The charge management system 210returns such prepaid information to the personal computer 40.

The personal computer 40 receives the prepaid information in virtualcurrency UT (in step S229). The received prepaid information isforwarded to the electronic apparatus 30 and installed therein as usabletime information (in step S230).

With the seventh embodiment, the electronic apparatus 30 decrements byunit time the usable time information expressed in virtual currency UT.For example, when one minute of chargeable time has elapsed, an amountworth 10 UT units is subtracted from the remaining usable time. Thedisplay of the remaining usable time is carried out by converting intotime numbers the usable time information expressed in virtual currencyUT.

A major advantage of the seventh embodiment is this: if it is desired toreplace the currently used product with a new one before the remainingusable time in the memory 353 of the charge processing part 35 isexhausted, the replaced old product with its remaining usable time canstill be marketed in the secondhand product market.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view showing how a replaced but still usableproduct is typically handled on a secondhand product market. Asecondhand product dealer reads the remaining usable time from thememory 353 of the replaced electronic apparatus 30, and sets feescorresponding to the retrieved remaining time. Whereas the electronicapparatus of the seventh embodiment displays its remaining usable timewhen turned on, other electronic apparatuses with no such remaining timedisplay function can still be placed on the secondhand product market iftheir remaining usable time information is retrieved and established asa marketable resource by the personal computer or by a suitablededicated reading device.

As with the first embodiment, any one of the second through the seventhembodiments may have its accumulated used time computed for chargesbased on the time-price relationship table of FIG. 2 for depreciationpurposes.

Eighth Embodiment

The eighth embodiment of this invention is also implemented as anelectronic apparatus. Whereas the foregoing embodiments were each shownfabricated as a time-charged model from the beginning, the eighthembodiment may be switched between a time-charged model and an ordinarysell-off model setting, simply by use of a password.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of steps in which the electronic apparatus of theeighth embodiment is switched between settings of the two models.

When power is turned on (in step S231), initialization is carried out(in step S232). The input of a password is awaited (in step S233). Ifthe microcomputer part 31 judges that no password is input within apredetermined time period (in step S240), the electronic apparatus isautomatically turned off (in step S241), and this processing routine isterminated.

If the microcomputer part 31 judges that a password is input in time,the microcomputer part 31 subjects the password to authentication (instep S234). If the password is not authenticated (in step S235), theelectronic apparatus is automatically turned off (in step S241), and theprocessing routine is brought to an end.

If the input password is authenticated (in step S235), the microcomputerpart 31 checks to see if the password represents a time charge number(in step S236). The time charge number is a number that is attached tothe time-charged model.

If in step S236 the microcomputer part 31 judges that the input passwordis not the time charge number, then the electronic apparatus isestablished as an ordinary sell-off model (in step S242). In theelectronic apparatus of the ordinary model, the charge processing part35 remains inactive.

If in step S236 the input password is judged to be the time chargenumber, the electronic apparatus is established as a time-charged modeland its charge processing part 35 is activated (in step S237). After theelectronic apparatus is initialized as the time-charged model (in stepS238), the apparatus is enabled so as to effect the diverse functionsdiscussed in connection with the foregoing embodiments (in step S239).Although the flowchart of FIG. 33 shows how password authentication iscarried out to establish each of an ordinary sell-off model and atime-charged model, this is not limitative of the invention.Alternatively, the routine may be rearranged to authenticate thepassword to establish either an ordinary sell-off model or atime-charged model only.

As described, the electronic apparatus of the eighth embodiment isclassified either as an ordinary sell-off model or a time-charged modelby the simple input of a password. There is no need to manufactureelectronic apparatuses in two different models. This facilitatesmass-production of the apparatuses, which contributes to reducing theircosts.

Ninth Embodiment

The ninth embodiment of this invention is another example of the prepaidscheme. But instead of using prepaid cards or IC bank cards, the ninthembodiment utilizes coin-type virtual currency. Each coin containselectronic circuitry made up of a storage part for storing operationdata and other relevant information, a processing part for computingcharges, and a data transmitter-receiver. In the description thatfollows, the virtual currency coin will be referred to as UT (Used Time)Money (not to be confused with electronic money constituted byelectronic data).

The ninth embodiment makes use of the virtual currency UT discussed inconnection with the seventh embodiment above. The virtual currency UTrepresents the value of usable time information held in the storage partof the electronic circuitry in the coin. As mentioned earlier, the unitof the virtual currency is one UT.

The ninth embodiment presupposes the business model shown in FIG. 9. Tohave its used time paid for, the ninth embodiment resorts to a schemedepicted in FIG. 34 in which charges are settled through the UT Money.

As described earlier, the user registers with the time charge managementcompany 21 to become a registered member 27. As a registered member, theuser takes delivery of the electronic apparatus 30 whose use contracthas been concluded with the time charge management company 21, andreceives UT Money 80. At this point, the storage part of the UT Money 80contains the virtual currency units UT corresponding to the amount paidby the registered member. The UT count represents the usable time of theproduct. The storage part of the UT Money 80 also retains suchuser-related information as the name of the registered member 27 (i.e.,user's name), user ID, and password.

The registered member 27 inserts into the electronic apparatus 30 a UTMoney 80 whose UT count as the virtual currency is not zero (i.e., theusable time is not zero). This allows the electronic apparatus 30 tostart being used. As in the case of the prepaid card above, theelectronic apparatus 30 has its used time converted into thecorresponding amount of virtual currency UT for charge processing.Specifically, the virtual currency UT count in the storage part of theUT Money 80 is decremented by an amount corresponding to the accumulatedused time. During the charge processing, the electronic apparatus 30writes use history information to the storage part of the UT Money 80.The use history information includes dates of use, used time periods andother relevant data.

The registered member 27 can buy additional virtual currency UT at a UTtrading kiosk terminal 90 when the remaining UT count of the virtualcurrency is running short in the storage part of the UT Money 80. Withthe ninth embodiment, the registered member 27 may sell an unnecessarybut still usable coin in virtual currency UT at the UT trading kioskterminal 90.

The UT trading kiosk terminal 90 is connected to the time chargemanagement company 21 through the digital communication network 29. TheUT trading kiosk terminal 90, upon request by the management company 21or on its own initiative, transfers to the management company 21 UTtrading information as well as use history information retrieved fromthe UT Money 80.

The ninth embodiment regards the virtual currency UT as a fluctuatingcurrency, as will be described later. One factor of currency fluctuationis defined by the past history of used times such as the accumulatedused time per day or per month. That is, if the used time of thepreceding month turned out to be relatively short, the exchange rate ofthe virtual currency UT for this month is lowered; if the used time ofthe preceding month was relatively long, the exchange rate for thismonth is raised. The exchange rate is modified by altering anexchangeable amount per UT. Although it is possible to change the usedtime per UT, altering the exchangeable amount is more convenient becausethe absence of the need to change the used time per UT means there is noneed to modify the exchange rate in computing the usable time.

Another factor of virtual currency fluctuation is defined by the numberof virtual currency units UT traded. Specifically, if a large number ofvirtual currency units UT have been traded, the exchange rate of thevirtual currency is raised; if only a small number of virtual currencyunits UT have been traded, the exchange rate is lowered. In such a case,the number of virtual currency units UT traded with the ninth embodimentis determined not only by the number of traded UT units reported by thekiosk terminals 90 but also by the number of UT units traded on avirtual UT trading market 100, to be described later.

The exchange rate of the virtual currency UT is determined as describedillustratively by the month and transferred to each kiosk terminal 90over the digital communication network 29. The transferred rate is usedas the month's exchange rate for trading the virtual currency UT. Theregistered member 27 buys or sells the virtual currency in reference tothis exchange rate.

When the virtual currency is allowed to fluctuate in value with regardto the actual currency, any seasonal fluctuations in used time of theelectronic apparatus 30 are averaged out over time. This can contributeto raising the operating rate of the electronic apparatus 30. A boostedoperating rate of the electronic apparatus 30 helps reduce its excessstock as a product to be charged for used time.

Suppose that the use status of a time-chargeable product such as theelectronic apparatus 30 fluctuates due to economic, seasonal and/orpolitical factors. In that case, if the charging rate is fixed withrespect to used time, the used time count of the electronic apparatus 30can fluctuate wildly as indicated by thick solid lines 101 in FIG. 35.

By contrast, if the charging rate of the virtual currency UT is allowedto fluctuate as plotted by broken lines 102 in FIG. 35, then the usedtime is expected to drop when the exchange rate is higher and go up whenthe rate is lower. This scheme, when implemented, is expected to averageout seasonal fluctuations in used time of the electronic apparatus 30,as illustrated by thin solid lines 103 in FIG. 35.

If the virtual currency UT itself is traded, more UT units are expectedto be purchased when the exchange rate is lower and sold when the rateis higher. This allows users to take advantage of any fluctuations inthe exchange rate of the virtual currency UT traded.

Described below are some structural examples of the UT Money 80 shown inFIG. 34. FIGS. 36A and 36B illustrate a first structural example of theUT Money 80. FIG. 36A is a front view of the first example of the UTMoney 80, and FIG. 36B is a cross-sectional view taken on line Y-Y inFIG. 36A.

The UT Money 80 of the first example is constituted by a flat disc 81which is made of a metal or resin material and which has a circulardepression 82 in the middle. The depression 82 of the UT Money 80accommodates an electronic circuit 83 and is packed with a filler 84 tosecure the circuit 83 inside. A typical filler 84 is an ultravioletcuring resin. In this example, the depth L2 of the circular depression82 should be smaller than the thickness L1 of the disc 81, e.g., L2=L1/2or thereabout. The depression 82 is insulated from the electroniccircuit 83.

In the first example, as shown in FIG. 37, the electronic circuit 83includes a controlling part 831 composed of a microcomputer, a memory832, a clock part 833, a transmitting part 834, and a receiving part835. The transmitting part 834 and receiving part 835 of this setupexchange data with the outside on a wireless basis. Data may betransmitted and received by radio, by infrared emissions, or byultrasonic waves.

FIGS. 38A and 38B sketch a second structural example of the UT Money 80.FIG. 38A is a front view of the second example of the UT Money 80, andFIG. 38B is a cross-sectional view taken on line Y-Y in FIG. 38A. FIGS.39A, 39B and 39C are explanatory views outlining steps to fabricate thestructure.

The UT Money 80 of the second example is also constituted by a flat disc81 which is made of a metal or resin material with an electronic circuit83 embedded in the middle. What characterizes the second example is thatmeasures are taken to attach the embedded electronic circuit 83 securelyto the disc 81.

In the second example, as shown in FIG. 39A, the disc 81 has at itscenter a through-hole 85 that is concentric with the circumference ofthe disc 81. The inner wall of the through-hole 85 is furnished withtapered faces 85A and 85B which get larger in diameter as they approachboth surfaces of the disc 81. The inner wall of the through-hole 85 alsohas a plurality of projections 86 that fasten the electronic circuit 83in place.

The electronic circuit 83 is placed onto and engaged with theprojections 86 as illustrated in FIG. 39B, so that the circuit 83 isaccommodated snugly inside the through-hole 85. With the state of FIG.39B kept unchanged, the through-hole 85 is stuffed completely with thefiller 84 as shown in FIG. 39C. The filler 84 may be an ultravioletcuring resin as mentioned above.

According to the second structural example of the UT Money, the taperedfaces 85A and 85B of the through-hole 85 prevent the electronic circuit83 packed with the filler 84 from getting detached from the disc 81.

Described below with reference to FIG. 40 is a typical hardwareconstitution of the electronic apparatus 30 practiced as the ninthembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 40, the electronic apparatus 30 of the ninthembodiment has a UT Money loading/ejecting mechanism 301. Loading the UTMoney 80 into the UT Money loading/ejecting mechanism 301 allows theelectronic apparatus 30 to start being used. If the remaining UT countis zero in the memory 832 of the electronic circuit 83 within the UTMoney 80, then loading the UT Money 80 will not get the electronicapparatus 30 started.

The UT Money 80 is loaded and ejected by the user operating on aload/eject key to activate the UT Money loading/ejecting mechanism 301that is under control of the microcomputer part 31. The UT Money 80 maybe ejected automatically by the electronic apparatus 30 if, say, theremaining UT count of the UT Money 80 is zero.

The electronic apparatus 30 of the ninth embodiment has no chargeprocessing part. Charge processing is performed by the controlling part831 of the electronic circuit 83 within the UT Money 80, in a manner tobe described later. It is also possible for the electronic apparatus 30to incorporate a charge processing part so that an outcome of the chargeprocessing may be transferred to the UT Money 80.

The electronic apparatus 30 of this embodiment includes a transmittingpart 302 and a receiving part 303 for exchanging data with the UT Money80. As with the setup shown in FIG. 22, the electronic apparatus 30 hasa microcomputer part 31 connected to a function executing part 32, to akey operation part 33 and to a display part 34.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart of steps in which the electronic apparatus 30typically operates as the ninth embodiment. Most of the steps in FIG. 41are carried out by the microcomputer part 31.

When the electronic apparatus 30 is turned on (in step S251),initialization is performed (in step S252). The microcomputer part 31checks to see if any UT Money 80 is loaded (in step S253). If no UTMoney 80 is judged loaded, a message prompting the user to load the UTMoney 80 is displayed on the display part 34 (in step S254).

When the microcomputer part 31 judges that the UT Money 80 is loaded,the microcomputer part 31 sends a UT information transfer request to theUT Money 80 through the transmitting part 302. A response from the UTMoney 80 carrying UT count information is received through the receivingpart 303 (in step S255). A check is made to see if the UT Money 80 hasany remaining UT count (in step S256). If the remaining UT count isfound zero, the microcomputer part 31 displays on the display part 34 amessage saying that the UT Money 80 has no remaining UT count and needsto be replaced (in step S257).

The UT Money 80 is then ejected (in step S258). Replacement of the UTMoney 80 is awaited (in step S259). If the UT Money 80 is not replaced,a check is made to see if power is turned off (in step S260). If poweris judged removed, the processing is brought to an end. If power is notturned off, then step S257 is reached again and the display part 34 ismade to display the message saying that the UT Money 80 has no remainingUT count and needs to be replaced.

If in step S259 the replacement of the UT Money 80 is confirmed, theremaining UT count is read from the replaced UT Money 80 (in step S255).A check is made to see if the remaining UT count is zero (in step S256).If the remaining UT count is not found zero, that count is converted toa usable time (in step S261). The usable time is displayed on thedisplay part 34 (in step S262).

The microcomputer part 31 checks to see if any function key is activatedthrough the key operation part 33 (in step S263). If any function key isjudged operated on, the type of the activated function key is recognizedand key type information is transmitted to the UT Money 80 through thetransmitting part 302 (in step S264).

A check is then made to see if power is turned off (in step S265). Ifpower is not judged removed, step S263 is reached again, and step S263and subsequent steps are repeated. If in step S265 power is judgedturned off, end-of-use information is transmitted to the UT Money 80through the transmitting part 302 (in step S266). The processing is thenterminated.

What takes place when the UT Money 80 is loaded into the electronicapparatus 30 will now be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.42. The steps of FIG. 42 start being performed when the controlling part831 of the UT Money 80 judges that the UT Money 80 has been loaded intothe UT Money loading/ejecting mechanism 301 of the electronic apparatus30.

Loading of the UT Money 80 is detected by optical or electronic meansillustratively in the UT Money loading/ejecting mechanism 301 of theelectronic apparatus 30. Once the UT Money 80 is judged loaded by theelectronic apparatus 30, a loading detection signal is transmittedthrough the transmitting part 302. Alternatively, the UT Money 80 mayinclude optical or electronic means to detect its loading into the UTMoney loading/ejecting mechanism 301 of the electronic apparatus 30.

When the UT Money 80 is loaded into the electronic apparatus 30, a UTcount transmission request is sent from the apparatus 30. When receiptof the transmission request is confirmed (in step S271), the remainingUT count is read from the memory 832 and transmitted to the electronicapparatus 30 through the transmitting part 834 (in step S272).

If function key operation information is received from the electronicapparatus 30 (in step S273), the activated function key is recognizedand information about the function key is stored into the memory 832 (instep S274).

The controlling part 831 measures an execution time in which thefunction in question has been active, i.e., a used time T1 of theenabled function in accordance with clock information from the clockpart 833 (in step S275). With information exchanged between theelectronic apparatus 30 and the UT Money 80, the controlling part 831measures a CPU processing time in which the CPU of the microcomputerpart 31 has been continuously operating, i.e., a processing time T2excluding the sleep time, as well as a CPU load factor P of themicrocomputer part 31 (in step S276). In this example, the CPU loadfactor P is computed repeatedly during function execution.Alternatively, the CPU load factor P may be calculated at the end of thefunction execution.

As mentioned earlier, the load factor P is computed by use of thefollowing expression:P=(T2/T1)×Kwhere, K denotes a coefficient of variation determined by the type ofequipment such as video equipment, audio equipment, television set, orstorage medium in use.

Step S275 to measure the used time T1 and step S276 to measure both theprocessing time T2 and the CPU load factor P are repeated, untilexecution of the function in question comes to an end (in step S277).

When execution of the function is judged to have ended, the controllingpart 831 of the UT Money 80 computes a chargeable time “t” (in stepS278) using the following expression:chargeable time t=used time T1×CPU load factor PSince the chargeable time “t” is given as T2×K, it is possiblealternatively to measure only the processing time T2 and skip used time(T1) measurement.

Using the chargeable time “t” information thus computed, the controllingpart 831 computes the remaining usable time (in step S279). Theremaining usable time thus computed is converted to a UT count (in stepS280). This UT count is subtracted from the UT count in the memory 832of the UT Money 80, whereby the remaining UT count is updated (in stepS281). Other information such as dates and operation information is alsowritten to the memory 832 of the UT Money 80 (in step S282). These itemsof information are later retrieved from the UT Money 80 at the kioskterminal 90 as will be described later and sent to the time chargemanagement company 21 as material for market research to determine UTexchange rate and for other purposes.

A check is then made to see if power is removed (in step S283). If poweris not judged removed, step S273 is reached again and activation ofanother function key is awaited. If power is judged turned off, theprocessing routine is terminated.

Although the example above was shown having charge processing performedby the UT Money 80, this is not limitative of the invention.Alternatively, as with the setup in FIG. 10, the electronic apparatusmay incorporate a charge processing part that may transfer results ofits charge processing to the UT Money 80.

A typical constitution of the UT trading kiosk terminal 90 will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 43 and 44. FIG. 43 is a block diagramoutlining a typical internal structure of the UT trading kiosk terminal90.

As shown in FIG. 43, the UT trading kiosk terminal 90 comprises: acontrolling part 900 made of a microcomputer; a UT Moneyloading/ejecting part 901; a transmitting part 902 for transmitting datato be written to the UT Money 80; a receiving part 903 for receivingdata read from the memory 832 of the UT Money 80; a cash accepting andcomputing part 904; a change issuing part 905; a display part 906composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display); a key operation part 907including such keys as numeric keys, a UT buy key and a UT sell key (tobe described later); a clock part 908; a communication part 909connected to a digital communication network 29 illustratively through atelephone line for communication with the time charge management company21; and a memory 910. The digital communication network 29 may bereplaced by an analog communication network.

FIG. 44 is a schematic view sketching a typical operation panel of theUT trading kiosk terminal 90. As illustrated in FIG. 44, the operationpanel has a display screen 906D of the display part 906 along with aplurality of keys constituting the key operation part 907. In thisexample, the key operation part 907 includes numeric keys 920, a UT buykey 911, a UT sell key 912, an OK key 913, a cancel key 914, and acorrection key 915.

The operation panel also has a UT Money loading slot 916, a bank noteloading slot 917, a coin loading slot 918, and a change/refund port 919.

UT trading kiosk terminal 90 allows users not only to buy but also tosell the virtual currency UT. The exchange rate for UT trading is sentfrom the time charge management company 21 to the UT trading kioskterminal 90 over the digital communication network 29. The exchange rateis also disclosed at the website of the time charge management company21 on the Internet.

In this example, the charge management system of the time chargemanagement company 21 determines the UT exchange rate by the month aswill be explained later. Alternatively, the exchange rate may be updatedweekly or daily.

The exchange rate information is written to and stored in the memory 910of the UT trading kiosk terminal 90. The controlling part 900 of theterminal 90 reads the exchange rate information from the memory 910 anddisplays on the display screen 906D an exchange rate for buying thevirtual currency UT (i.e., UT buying rate) and an exchange rate forselling the currency UT (UT selling rate) as shown in FIG. 44. Byreferring to the UT exchange rates disclosed at the website or displayedat the UT trading kiosk terminal 90, users may wish to buy additional UTunits in a month when the exchange rate is low and to sell their UTunits in a month when the rate is high.

If the UT Money 80 is loaded into the UT trading kiosk terminal 90through the UT Money loading slot 916, the terminal 90 displays theremaining UT count of the Money 80 on the screen 906D as depicted inFIG. 44. The display allows the user to verify the remaining UT count ofthe UT Money 80. If the user merely wishes to know the remaining UTcount, simply pushing the cancel key 914 causes the UT Money 80 to beejected from the UT Money loading slot 916.

A user wishing to buy the virtual currency UT proceeds to push the buykey 911, not the cancel key 914, and types in a desired UT count to buyby operating the numeric keys 920. A user wishing to sell the virtualcurrency UT pushes the sell key 912 and enters a desired UT count tosell by operating the numeric keys 920. The screen 906D displays the UTcount thus input, so that the user can confirm the desired UT count. Ifnecessary, the user may push the correction key 915 to replace thecurrently displayed count with another UT count desired.

The UT trading kiosk terminal 90 converts the input UT count into anexchangeable amount using the current exchange rate and displays thecomputed amount on the display screen 906D. The buyer or seller of thevirtual currency UT verifies the input UT count and the correspondingexchangeable amount before pushing the OK key 913.

If the user has chosen to buy the virtual currency UT, the UT tradingkiosk terminal 90 causes the display screen 906D to indicate a messagerequesting the user to pay in cash. The terminal 90 is now ready toaccept the payment. The user enters the necessary amount of cash throughthe bank note loading slot 917 and coin loading slot 918. The amountthus loaded is displayed on the display screen 906D. If an amount ofcash in excess of the exact amount to be exchanged is entered, then theUT trading kiosk terminal 90 collects the necessary amount, writes thepurchased UT count to the memory 832 of the UT Money 80, pays thebalance as change, and ejects the Money 80 from the UT Money loadingslot 916.

If the user has decided to sell the virtual currency UT and pushed theOK key 913, the UT trading kiosk terminal 90 refunds through thechange/refund port 919 the amount of cash displayed as the exchangeableamount on the display screen 906D. The terminal 90 subtracts the sold UTcount from the remaining UT count in the UT Money 80, and ejects the UTMoney 80 from the loading slot 916.

Described below with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 45 and 46 aresteps performed primarily by the controlling part 900 of the UT tradingkiosk terminal 90 when the virtual currency UT is bought and sold in theform of the UT Money 80.

A check is first made by optical or electronic means to see if the UTMoney 80 is entered through the UT Money loading slot 916 (in stepS291). If the UT Money 80 is judged entered, a data transfer request istransmitted to the Money 80. In response, the remaining UT count andoperation data are received from the UT Money 80 (in step S292). Theremaining UT count thus received is displayed on the display screen 906D(in step S293) while the operation data are written to the memory 910(in step S294).

The controlling part 900 checks to see if the user has pushed the buykey 911 (in step 295). If the buy key 911 is not judged pushed, a checkis then made to see if the user has pushed the sell key 912 (in stepS296). If the sell key 912 is not judged pushed, then a check is made tosee if the cancel key 914 is pushed (in step S297). If the cancel key914 is judged operated on, the UT Money 80 is ejected from the UTtrading kiosk terminal 90 (in step S308) and the processing isterminated. If the cancel key 914 is not judged activated, step S295 isreached again and operation of the buy key 911 or sell key 912 isawaited.

If the buy key 911 is judged pushed in step S295, a message promptingthe user to input a desired UT count is displayed on the display screen906D (in step S298). On viewing the message, the user enters a desiredUT count. The input UT count is accepted and converted into anexchangeable amount in accordance with the UT buying rate for the month,and the amount is displayed on the display screen 906D (in step S299).

As described, the user pushes the OK key 913 when finalizing the desiredUT count or operates on the cancel key 914 when canceling the purchaseof the virtual currency UT. The UT trading kiosk terminal 90 checks tosee if the OK key 913 is pushed (in step S300). If the OK key is notjudged activated, a check is then made to see if the cancel key 914 ispushed (in step S301). If the cancel key 914 is judged operated on, stepS308 is reached in which the UT Money 80 is ejected and the processingis terminated. If in step S301 the cancel key 914 is not judgedactivated, step S300 is reached again and operation of the OK key 913 isawaited.

If in step S300 the OK key 913 is judged pushed, a message requestingloading of the cash corresponding to the exchange amount is output (instep S302). With the loaded bank notes and/or coins counted, a check ismade to see if the cash is sufficient to cover the exchangeable amount(in step S303). If a sufficient amount of cash is judged loaded, theexact amount displayed is collected, and the UT Money 80 receives totalUT count data given by adding the remaining UT count and the newlypurchased UT count, as well as a request for updating the remaining UTcount accordingly (in step S304). In turn, the UT Money 80 replaces theremaining UT count with the received total UT count in the memory 832.

The UT trading kiosk terminal 90 adds the newly bought UT count to thehitherto-purchased UT count and stores the sum into the memory 910 (instep S305). A check is made to see if there is a balance between theexchangeable amount and what the user has entered in cash (in stepS306). The balance if any is refunded as change through thechange/refund port 919 (in step S307). If there is no balance, step S308is reached immediately in which the UT Money 80 is ejected and theprocessing is terminated.

If in step S296 the sell key 912 is judged activated, a messageprompting the user to input a desired UT count is displayed on thedisplay screen 906D (in step S311 of FIG. 46). On viewing the display,the user inputs a desired UT count. The input UT count is accepted andconverted into an exchangeable amount in accordance with the UT sellingrate for the month, and the amount is displayed on the display screen906D (in step S312).

As described, the user pushes the OK key 913 when finalizing the desiredUT count or operates on the cancel key 914 when canceling the selling ofthe virtual currency UT. The UT trading kiosk terminal 90 checks to seeif the OK key 913 is pushed (in step S313). If the OK key is not judgedactivated, a check is then made to see if the cancel key 914 is pushed(in step S314). If the cancel key 914 is judged operated on, step S318is reached in which the UT Money 80 is ejected and the processing isterminated. If in step S314 the cancel key 914 is not judged activated,step S313 is reached again and operation of the OK key 913 is awaited.

If in step S313 the OK key 913 is judged pushed, the UT Money 80receives total UT count data given by subtracting the sold UT count fromthe remaining UT count, as well as a request for updating the remainingUT count accordingly. In turn, the UT Money 80 replaces the remaining UTcount with the received total UT count in the memory 832 (in step S315).

The UT trading kiosk terminal 90 adds the newly sold UT count to thehitherto-sold UT count and stores the sum into the memory 910 (in stepS316). The exchangeable amount is refunded in cash through thechange/refund port 919 (in step S317). In step S318, the UT Money 80 isejected and the processing is terminated.

As described, the UT trading kiosk terminal 90 retrieves operation datafrom the memory 832 of the UT Money 80 at the time of buying or sellingof the virtual currency UT. The retrieved data are stored into thememory 910. The UT trading kiosk terminal 90 also retains the number oftraded UT units in the memory 910. The data thus held at the kioskterminal 90 are transmitted to the time charge management company 21when so requested by the company 21.

Described below with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 47 are stepsperformed by the UT trading kiosk terminal 90 upon receipt of atransmission request from the time charge management company 21.

A check is made to see if a transmission request is received from thetime charge management company 21 (in step S321). If the transmissionrequest is judged received, the kiosk terminal 90 reads from the memory910 the operation data collected from the UT Money 80 including usedtime information, as well as data indicative of the number of UT unitsbought and the number of UT units sold (in step S322). The data thusretrieved are output to the time charge management company 21 (in stepS323). After transmission of the data, the kiosk terminal 90 erases theoperation data and the data about the traded UT units from the memory910 (in step S324).

With the ninth embodiment, the charge management system of the timecharge management company 21 determines at the end of the month theexchange rate of the virtual currency UT for the next month inaccordance with the used times accumulated by the electronic apparatus30 this month and with the total UT units traded during the month. Theexchange rate thus determined is disclosed at the company's website onthe Internet and is sent to each UT trading kiosk terminal 90 for useduring the next month.

Steps performed by the charge management system of the time chargemanagement company 21 are described below with reference to a flowchartof FIG. 48. This flowchart shows how a controlling part within thecharge management system typically operates.

A check is first made to see if it is time to determine the exchangerate of the virtual currency UT (in step S331). If it is not yet time todetermine the exchange rate, the charge management system collects usedtime data about the electronic apparatus 30 (in step S332) and traded UTcount data (in step S333) from the UT trading kiosk terminal 90 asdescribed.

If in step S331 it is judged that now is the time to determine theexchange rate, the charge management system computes a total used timeTm for the current month based on the collected used time data (in stepS334). An average monthly used time Mm is then obtained (in step S335)using the following expression:Mm=Tm/Nwhere N denotes the number of currently registered members.

An accumulated used time Ts of the electronic apparatus 30 is thencomputed (in step S336). An average accumulated used time Ms is acquired(in step S337) by dividing the accumulated number of registered membersper month by the total number of registered members (N), using thefollowing expression:Ms=Ts/N

The traded UT count data thus collected are analyzed (in step S338).Based on the result of the analysis, an exchange coefficient Ka for usein determining the exchange rate is modified (in step S339). If thenumber of UT units bought is higher than the number of UT units sold,the exchange coefficient Ka is modified in a way raising the UT exchangerate; if the purchased UT count is lower than the sold UT count, theexchange coefficient Ka is modified so as to lower the UT exchange rate.

The UT exchange rate Xm for the next month is obtained (in step S340)using the expression:Xm=Xs+Ka(Mm−Ms)where Xs represents a reference UT exchange rate. The reference UTexchange rate is a rate that determines in advance a reference chargeunit about the used time of the electronic apparatus 30 with respect tothe virtual currency UT. Alternatively, the rate Xs may be defined notas the reference UT exchange rate but as the UT exchange rate of thepreceding month.

The UT exchange rate thus determined is disclosed at the managementcompany's website on the Internet and is sent to each UT trading kioskterminal 90 for use during the next month (in step S341).

As described, the charge management system of the time charge managementcompany 21 determines the UT exchange rate for the next month based onthe past used time and on the traded UT units.

The shorter the average used time Mm for this month than thehitherto-accumulated average used time or the smaller the number ofvirtual currency units UT bought during the month, the lower the UTexchange rate set for the next month. It follows that the electronicapparatus 30 is charged less for its use. This should promote the use ofthe apparatus 30 and urge users to buy the virtual currency UT.Meanwhile, the number of sold UT units diminishes.

The longer the average used time Mm for this month than thehitherto-accumulated average used time or the larger the number ofvirtual currency units UT bought during the month, the higher the UTexchange rate set for the next month. This means that the electronicapparatus 30 is charged more for its use. This will discourage the useof the apparatus 30 and dissuade users from buying the virtual currencyUT. On the other hand, the number of UT units sold increases.

As described, the ninth embodiment employs the virtual currency UT as afluctuating currency. Fluctuating values of the currency promptregistered members to use the electronic apparatus with averaged (andthereby minimized) seasonal variations in used time.

The number of traded UT units collected by the charge management systemof the time charge management company includes not only the UT unitstraded at the UT trading kiosk terminal 90 but also those traded on thevirtual UT trading market 100. How UT units are traded on the virtual UTtrading market 100 will now be described.

FIG. 49 schematically shows how the virtual UT trading market 100operates. A website 110 run by a virtual UT market management system 212of the time charge management company 21 functions as a primary base forthe virtual UT trading market. Only the members registered with the timecharge management company 21 are authorized to trade the virtualcurrency UT at the website 110. The charge management system 211subjects to authentication any user who has made a seller or buyerposting request. Anyone who is not authenticated as a duly registeredmember is rejected.

A registered member who wishes to sell his virtual currency UT holdingshas his status posted as a seller at the website 110 together with adesired UT selling rate. The seller's posted status and desired UTselling rate cannot be altered until a predetermined time period passes.The charge management system 211 retains dates at which members' sellerpostings were made. A member is allowed to have his posted seller'sstatus and desired UT selling rate altered upon elapse of thepredetermined period of time after the date of the posting.

Any member who has had his status posted as a seller cannot become abuyer of the virtual currency UT as long as he remains a seller. If aregistered seller attempts access to the virtual UT market managementsystem 212 as a buyer, that attempt is rejected as illegal.

Registered members may have their status posted as buyers at any time.When having his status posted as a buyer of UT units, the member entersa desired UT buying rate and a desired UT count to buy. In response, thevirtual UT market management system 212 presents to the buyer which ofthe sellers' desired UT selling rates is closest to the buyer's desiredUT buying rate. If the buyer agrees to buy UT units at the presentedseller's rate, then a deal is made between the two parties. The buyermay reject the presented rate and may have his status posted again alongwith the desired UT buying rate. In such a case, buying rates are postedon a first-come, first-served basis. This means that after having hisstatus posted again as a buyer, the user may not be able to buy UT unitsat the old buying rate in effect before the posting.

Described below with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 50 are stepsperformed by the virtual UT market management system 212 when a memberhas his status posted as a seller. This flowchart shows how acontrolling part within the virtual UT market management system 212typically operates.

A check is first made to see if access is attempted requesting a user'sposting as a seller (in step S351). If such access is judged to be made,the user who attempted access is put to authentication based on themembership number entered (in step S352). A check is made to see ifaccess has been attempted by a registered number (in step S353). If theuser is not judged to be a duly registered member, that user is notifiedof a rejection of his posting attempt through the website (in step S359)and the processing routine is terminated.

If the user attempting access is judged to be a registered member, thevirtual UT market management system 212 awaits input of a desired UTselling rate and the number of UT units to sell, accepts the input andplaces it into an internal memory together with the membership numberand the date of posting (in step S354).

The virtual UT market management system 212 sends to the member postedas a seller a request for having the posted UT count data transferred(in step S355).

All members who wish to trade UT units on the virtual UT trading market100 rent beforehand a UT data transfer adapter (not shown). When tradingUT units, the member connects the transfer adapter to his personalcomputer and loads the UT Money 80 into the adapter. As a seller, themember enters a desired UT count to sell and issues a transferinstruction through the personal computer. In turn, the personalcomputer using a transfer application program of the adapter retrievesthe designated UT count from the UT Money 80 and transmits the retrieveddata to the virtual UT market management system 212. The UT Money 80 hasits remaining UT count updated in the memory 832 to reflect thesubtracted UT count.

The virtual UT market management system 212 checks to see if the UT datahave been received from the seller. If no UT data are judged to havearrived, the system 212 returns a rejection of the posting as a sellerto the member and erases what has been written to the memory (in stepS359).

On receiving the UT data, the virtual UT market management system 212stores in the memory the received data in association with the member'sposted information (in step S357). Thereafter, the system notifies themember of completion of the posting (in step S358) and terminates theroutine of seller posting processing.

Described below with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 51 are stepsperformed by the virtual UT market management system 212 when a buyerposts a UT purchase request and trades UT units.

A check is first made to see if access is attempted requesting a UTpurchase (in step S361). If such access is judged to be made, the userwho attempted access is put to authentication based on the membershipnumber entered (in step S362). A check is made to see if access has beenattempted by a registered number (in step S363). If the user is notjudged to be a duly registered member, that user is notified of arejection of his posting attempt through the website (in step S374) andthe processing routine is terminated.

If the user attempting access is judged to be a registered member, theUT market management system checks to see if the member has already beenposted as a seller (in step S364). If the member is judged to have beenposed as a seller, that member is notified of a rejection of his postingattempt through the website (in step S374) and the processing routine isterminated.

If the member is not judged to be posted as a seller, the system acceptsthe member's request to have his status posted as a buyer, as well as adesired UT buying rate and a UT count to buy (in step S365). From thedesired UT selling rates posted by the sellers in the memory, the systemretrieves the selling rate closest to the accepted UT buying ratedesired and displays the retrieved rate at the website (in step S366).

Looking at the displayed UT selling rate, the member as a buyer enters abuy order when wishing to buy UT units at the presented rate or inputs ano-buy order when refusing to make a purchase at that rate. The systemchecks to see if a buy order is entered (in step S367). If a buy orderis not judged to be made, a check is made to see if a no-buy order isinput (in step S373). If a no-buy order is not judged to be made, thesystem goes back to step S367 and waits for a buy-order to be entered.If a no-buy order is judged to be made, the processing routine isterminated. The desired buying rate may be altered by the member whowill have his status posted anew as a buyer.

If in step S367 a buy order is judged to be made, the system refers tothe database for the buying member's data. The UT market managementsystem notifies the charge management system of the member's settlementmethod retrieved from the database (in step S368).

In response, the charge management system reports whether the member inquestion is capable of settling the payment. A check is made based onthe report to see if the settlement is possible (in step S369). If thesettlement is not judged possible for some reason, step S374 is reachedin which the member is notified of a rejection of his posting attemptthrough the website, and the processing routine is terminated.

If in step S369 the settlement is judged possible, the system transfersthe purchased UT data to the buying member (in step S370). The buyingmember receives the transferred UT data through the personal computerand adapter. The remaining UT count in the memory 832 of the UT Money 80is incremented by the purchased UT count.

The database is also referenced for the selling member's settlementmethod. The charge management system is notified of the member'ssettlement method retrieved from the database (in step S371). The buyingmember is then notified of completion of a deal through the website (instep S372), and the processing routine is brought to an end.

The virtual currency UT is traded as described. If the UT count postedby a seller is not equal to the UT count desired by a buyer, a deal maystill be concluded provided the seller's posted UT count is greater thanthe buyer's desired UT count. A deal may also be made if a plurality ofsellers with the same selling rate propose a combined UT count greaterthan a potential buyer's desired UT count. In that case, the sellers'posted UT holdings may be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The number of UT units traded this month as described above is used indetermining the UT exchange rate for the next month. For that purpose,the UT market management system reports the traded monthly UT count tothe charge management system every month.

One advantage of the ninth embodiment is that it employs the virtualcurrency UT allowing the unit value of product used time to be chargedin a fluctuating manner. Another advantage is that virtual currencyunits may be traded at a desired exchange rate on a virtual UT market.

Although the ninth embodiment has been described as causing theelectronic circuit of the UT Money 80 to perform charge processing aboutproduct used time, this is not limitative of the invention.Alternatively, a charge processing part may be provided in theelectronic apparatus 30, and results of charge processing by that chargeprocessing part about product used time may be sent to the UT Money 80.

Although the foregoing embodiments have been shown adopting anelectronic apparatus as a chargeable product, this is not limitative ofthe invention. Alternatively, this invention applies to any apparatusesthat incorporate a suitable charge processing part.

As many other apparently different embodiments of this invention may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodimentsthereof except as defined in the appended claims.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. An electronic apparatus comprising: operationinputting means for designating at least an operating state and anon-operating state; used time measuring means for measuring duration ofsaid operating state as a used time; and chargeable time computing meansfor computing a chargeable time by weighting said used time measured bysaid used time measuring means in accordance with different weightingfactors set for different electronic apparatuses. 10-12. (canceled) 13.An electronic apparatus comprising: operation inputting means fordesignating at least an operating state and a non-operating state; usedtime measuring means for measuring duration of said operating state as aused time; cumulative time measuring means for measuring an accumulatedused time measured by said used time measuring means; and chargeabletime computing means for computing a chargeable time by weighting saidused time measured by said used time measuring means in accordance witha weighting factor reflecting said accumulated used time measured bysaid cumulative time measuring means. 14-28. (canceled)
 29. A chargingmethod comprising the steps of: measuring an actual operating time of anapparatus within a chargeable period as a chargeable used time;measuring an accumulated time of said chargeable used time; andcomputing a chargeable time by weighting the measured accumulatedchargeable used time in accordance with a weighting factor correspondingto said accumulated time. 30-43. (canceled)